It is a sad fact that nearly half the women, children, and men who enter the Thurman Brisben Center (TBC) were in the shelter system before. Some failed to sustain themselves when short-term, federal- and state-financed housing subsidies ran out. Some grew up in shelters and are now returning with children of their own.Such cases are not limited to the Greater Fredericksburg Region, but are common across the country. Why?
The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates 71% of its massive homelessness funding to assist the long-term, high-needs, homeless population classified as “chronic.” These persons deserve a great deal of compassion and assistance, but they comprise only 10% of homelessness locally (far less if families living doubled or tripled up or in low-budget, high-cost hotels are counted). Only about 1% of Brisben Center clients, who are primarily (though not exclusively) classified as non-chronic, receive HUD-guided, state-focused assistance.
Secondly, HUD’s Housing First “solution” emphasizes short-term (3 months on average) rental subsidies, after which time the tenants are obligated to pay full rent.
To be eligible for HUD-guided, state-focused funding, agencies cannot require clients who are placed in such housing to have income, be sober, or even be trying to resolve the circumstances that led them to become homeless. It stands to reason that many of them end up homeless again—whether right away or in the future. Children who grow up in unstable housing situations are at significant risk for becoming homeless as adults.
The Brisben Center is all for placing people into client-sustained housing. But, our experience is that without practical hand-up supports, client motivation, and personal accountability, the chances of persons returning to homelessness are high.
In 2020, the Brisben Center board made the decision to provide more than emergency shelter. In addition to our decades-long role, we are now providing our residents with a results-oriented, 12-month plan and personal “coach-navigator” after they exit. It is modeled on the highly effective Mobility Mentoring® approach for resolving household poverty. More than a handout, it builds upon client motivation and abilities to help them overcome obstacles and achieve practical goals. Integrated with in-shelter case management, it offers a path toward each household’s full potential to sustain itself. We call it the Brisben Bridge. Linda’s story is a poignant example of how it works.
