Homeless Outreach & Rapid Re-Housing

PATH Program
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness

The PATH Program provides outreach and support services for individuals in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties who are homeless, at imminent risk of becoming homeless, do not have permanent housing AND have a serious mental illness.   The goal is to help those served find safe housing, meet daily living needs, and access the care and services that can improve their daily lives.  Phoenix CDS PATH Program staff are a great resource for emergency services personnel  – available to follow up with those identified by local police and fire departments as being in need of housing or support services.  They also reach out to homeless individuals where they congregate to engage them in services.

PATH services include:

• Outreach
• Screening and diagnostic treatment
• Case management
• Linkage and referral to health services, job training, educational services and housing services
• Assistance with identifying and securing appropriate housing.

The PATH Program is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the first initiative of this type in our area.

Rapid Re-Housing

Rapid re-housing is an intervention designed to help individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid re-housing assistance is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services  are tailored to the unique needs of the household. The core components of rapid re-housing are:

Housing Identification

• Recruit landlords to provide housing opportunities for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Address potential barriers to landlord participation such as concern about short term nature of rental assistance and tenant qualifications.
• Assist households to find and secure appropriate rental housing.

Financial Assistance

• Provide assistance to cover move-in costs, deposits, and the rental and/or utility assistance necessary to allow individuals and families to move immediately out of homelessness and to stabilize in permanent housing.

Rapid Re-housing Case Management and Services

• Help individuals and families experiencing homelessness identify and select among various permanent housing options based on their unique needs, preferences, and financial resources.
• Help individuals and families experiencing homelessness address issues that may impede access to housing (such as credit history, arrears, and legal issues).
• Help individuals and families negotiate manageable and appropriate lease agreements with landlords.
• Make appropriate and time-limited services and supports available to families and individuals to allow them to stabilize quickly in permanent housing.
• Monitor participants’ housing stability and be available to resolve crises.
• Provide or assist the household with connections to resources that help them improve their safety and well-being and achieve their long-term goals.

HOWIE

Hygiene On Wheels Independence Empowered

HOWIE is a mobile hygiene unit designed to bring access to showers, toilets, and laundry access directly to those experiencing homelessness in the Peoria, Tazwell, Woodford, and Fulton counties. HOWIE will be available in December. For more information, please check our page under “For Consumers”