ABOUT US

Homestretch is a comprehensive program that helps homeless families in Fairfax County find the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Once a family is accepted into Homestretch, they move into a fully furnished apartment and embark on a journey with Homestretch that can last two or more years. During this time, Homestretch works with the family to help find the adults meaningful employment and to build their skills and education so that they can substantially improve their ability to earn a living wage. Meanwhile, our child services staff works with the family to address the needs of their children, including academic, social and health issues.

The needs of Homestretch clients can be enormous and varied. Families become homeless and end up at the doors of Homestretch due to many different reasons. It may be due to natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina, or sudden losses of loved ones who were primary breadwinners. Many women flee situations of domestic violence and end up homeless with their children. Some are political refugees from war torn countries and others are families who have been caught up in the patterns of dysfunction and poverty who seek ways to stabilize their lives.

In a given year, Homestretch will work with as many as 100 families and 300 children. It is important to note that the average of a homeless person in the United States is nine years old so it is imperative to break the cycle of poverty and help these children have more promising futures.

Success

The success of Homestretch’s approach is reflected in its positive track record.

Since 1990,Homestretch has assisted 815 families and over 2,000 children.
83% of Homestretch families successfully transition into permanent affordable housing within two years of entering the program.
Long-term tracking shows that two years after completing the program 90% of Homestretch graduates remain in stable employment and housing.
To date 20 Homestretch graduated families have become first-time homeowners.

Comprehensive Program

In addition to providing subsidized housing, families in Homestretch receive a variety of services including case management, employment counseling, ESL classes, computer literacy training, GED tutoring, domestic violence education and counseling, therapy, substance abuse counseling life skills training, transportation assistance, and numerous services for children. Families can stay with Homestretch for two years or more as they acquire the skills and resources they need to live productive and independent lives.

Evaluation System

Homestretch uses a customized, performance based evaluation system to track families progress as they got through the program and as they make steps toward meeting their identified goals. This assessment covers twelve essential family functions that are critical to the family’s self-sufficiency, including housing, income, employment, transportation, mental and physical health, domestic abuse, substance and alcohol use, parenting and family relations, child care, education, language capabilities, and immigration status.

Programs

Homestretch places a special emphasis on children. In fact, with the exception of a house for six single women, Homestretch only accepts families with children under the age of eighteen. Families may remain in Homestretch for as long as two years, during which time they can avail themselves of multiple services that are aimed at helping them be better equipped to become self-sufficient. These services include:

Children and Youth

Child-teen enrichment program

Health and Nutrition education

Individual tutoring

Back to school program

Summer camp

Holiday Shopping spree

Family adoption at holidays

Youth Mentoring

Family Support Services

Case Management ‘

Job Counseling and Placement

Credit counseling, debt reduction and money management

Domestic violence education and counseling

Psychotherapy

Substance Abuse Counseling

Legal Counseling

English as a Second Language Classes

Life skills training

GED Tutoring and Computer Literacy

Housing Services

Rental subsidies

Utility Assistance

Furniture, Kitchen supplies, linens, etc

Transportation Assistance

Donated Used Cars for clients when available


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Board & Staff Facts and Figures Financial Report About Transitional Housing Transitional housing is a comprehensive long-term approach to helping the homeless transition out of homelessness and into independent living. It combines the provision of stable housing through rental subsidies and support services to homeless individuals and families for up to two years. Support services which involve a mix of counseling and training, are designed to help families develop the skills they need to function effectively in mainstream society and return to self-sufficiency. The concept was developed in the 1980’s by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the Supportive Housing Demonstration Program. Homestretch receives HUD Supportive Housing Funds through the Fairfax County Continuum of Care, which involves non-profit and public programs that provide services for the homeless, including prevention, outreach, intake and assessment, emergency shelters, transitional housing ,permanent supportive housing and support services.	ABOUT US Homestretch is a comprehensive program that helps homeless families in Fairfax County find the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Once a family is accepted into Homestretch, they move into a fully furnished apartment and embark on a journey with Homestretch that can last two or more years. During this time, Homestretch works with the family to help find the adults meaningful employment and to build their skills and education so that they can substantially improve their ability to earn a living wage. Meanwhile, our child services staff works with the family to address the needs of their children, including academic, social and health issues. The needs of Homestretch clients can be enormous and varied. Families become homeless and end up at the doors of Homestretch due to many different reasons. It may be due to natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina, or sudden losses of loved ones who were primary breadwinners. Many women flee situations of domestic violence and end up homeless with their children. Some are political refugees from war torn countries and others are families who have been caught up in the patterns of dysfunction and poverty who seek ways to stabilize their lives. In a given year, Homestretch will work with as many as 100 families and 300 children. It is important to note that the average of a homeless person in the United States is nine years old so it is imperative to break the cycle of poverty and help these children have more promising futures. Success The success of Homestretch’s approach is reflected in its positive track record. Since 1990,Homestretch has assisted 815 families and over 2,000 children. 83% of Homestretch families successfully transition into permanent affordable housing within two years of entering the program. Long-term tracking shows that two years after completing the program 90% of Homestretch graduates remain in stable employment and housing. To date 20 Homestretch graduated families have become first-time homeowners. Comprehensive Program In addition to providing subsidized housing, families in Homestretch receive a variety of services including case management, employment counseling, ESL classes, computer literacy training, GED tutoring, domestic violence education and counseling, therapy, substance abuse counseling life skills training, transportation assistance, and numerous services for children. Families can stay with Homestretch for two years or more as they acquire the skills and resources they need to live productive and independent lives. Evaluation System Homestretch uses a customized, performance based evaluation system to track families progress as they got through the program and as they make steps toward meeting their identified goals. This assessment covers twelve essential family functions that are critical to the family’s self-sufficiency, including housing, income, employment, transportation, mental and physical health, domestic abuse, substance and alcohol use, parenting and family relations, child care, education, language capabilities, and immigration status. Programs Homestretch places a special emphasis on children. In fact, with the exception of a house for six single women, Homestretch only accepts families with children under the age of eighteen. Families may remain in Homestretch for as long as two years, during which time they can avail themselves of multiple services that are aimed at helping them be better equipped to become self-sufficient. These services include: Children and Youth Child-teen enrichment program Health and Nutrition education Individual tutoring Back to school program Summer camp Holiday Shopping spree Family adoption at holidays Youth Mentoring Family Support Services Case Management ‘ Job Counseling and Placement Credit counseling, debt reduction and money management Domestic violence education and counseling Psychotherapy Substance Abuse Counseling Legal Counseling English as a Second Language Classes Life skills training GED Tutoring and Computer Literacy Housing Services Rental subsidies Utility Assistance Furniture, Kitchen supplies, linens, etc Transportation Assistance Donated Used Cars for clients when available
© 2008 All Rights Reserved · Homestretch, 370 South Washington Street, Suite 400, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 · 703-237-2035