Second Chance Housing Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Often, it is difficult for many low-income or risk-prone individuals to secure reliable and safe housing. In Wake County, officials have started their Second Chance Housing Program to give a solution to this dilemma. The Second Chance Housing Program is operated through Brookridge Apartments, a property that Wake County opened in 2011. If a housing applicant at Brookridge Apartments does not meet admittance criteria because of unacceptable credit, criminal backgrounds or a conviction history, the Second Chance Housing Program will also the prospective tenant to be referred by the property manager to a Wake County social worker. With the social worker, the housing applicant will discuss their history in order to understand why the applicant was rejected from the apartments. After this step, the social worker will work with the individual to develop a plan that will remain in force during the individual's residency at Brookridge Apartments and that will minimize the possibility or a recurrence of the problem. Assuming that the social worker has obtained evidence that the individual has made a clear commitment to change, they can waive the criteria that prevented tenancy from being offered. The program has been very successful and has greatly benefited individuals who have been denied. In September of 2011, 54% of tenants were recorded as going through the Second Chance process. Of all tenants, 65% report being formerly homeless. Overall, this has been a very successful program that ensures a high quality of life for county residents.