30 Families in 30 Days Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

The 30 Families in 30 Days program employed a disaster relief model to address the issue of family homelessness. At the beginning of the winter season of 2009-2010, the family shelter system in Multnomah County was operating at capacity. With the coldest months looming, the Board of County Commissioners approved an emergency appropriation to move families out of the shelters and into housing, thus freeing up space for other families on the streets. Families in the shelter system were triaged and those deemed as having the most potential for self-sufficiency in a 6-month period were accepted into the program. The 30 Families program used a Rapid Rehousing model where families were placed into housing quickly, then visited by caseworkers to assess any service needs. 30 Families funds paid for any expense that would quickly stabilize the family into housing including: rent and utility deposits, application fees and short-term rent assistance. Staff assisted families with housing search, securing items for their homes, working with landlords, enrolling children into school and accessing job training and other services. The goal of the program was to house 30 families in 30 days; 34 families were moved into housing in that time period.