You are here Initiatives Our Step
Tuesday, September 07, 2010

What is Our Step?

Our Step is a collaborative housing initiative started by Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, Northwest Arkansas Women's Shelter, Samaritan Community Center and the Cobblestone Project to provide people and families a point for breaking the cycle of homelessness and domestic violence by eliminating the initial costs to secure affordable housing.  Participants are selected by referral from an affiliated non-profit agency that works to end issues of homelessness and/or domestic violence.

The Situation

This is David's story about homelessness and he explains some of the hurdles that are keeping him from obtaining affordable housing (specifically at the 6 min & 12 second mark).  This is one of the problems that the Our Step initiative is trying to help overcome.

(David's story was record by Mark Horvath, creator of InvisiblePeople.tv, during his trip to Fayetteville in August 2009)

Our Step Stories

Initiative Overview

  • Affordable housing was identified as a critical issue facing NW Arkansas in the November 2008 NWA Community Indicators Project Report published by Dr. Kevin M. Fitzpatrick of the University of Arkansas Community and Family Institute.
  • The barriers of entry into affordable housing can sometimes be insurmountable by people seeking to resume life after coming from a background of homelessness, domestic violence or poverty. 
  • It costs approximately $4,000 in initial costs to secure residency in local apartments or rental housing in NW Arkansas.
  • When these costs are required against a backdrop of domestic violence, poverty or homelessness, they are effective barriers in preventing people from reestablishing a firm foundation.
  • An adequate program to provide affordable entry into affordable living arrangements does not exist for “next step” referrals from regional shelters and non-profit service providers.

For more information, please send an email to OurStep@cobblestoneproject.org

Upcoming Dates

 
       

Application/Referral Process

If you are homeless now, please go to the nearest NW Arkansas homeless service provider and inquire about the Our Step program.

Our Step participants are referred to the program by a referring non-profit agency that works with the homeless and/or victims of domestic violence.

Process for application:

  1. Referring agency case managers recommend participants currently working through case management service.
  2. Recommended participants are accepted to Our Step program based on consensus decision of the Our Step steering committee.
  3. Our Step participants are then moved into housing based on availability of funding and housing.

If you are homeless service provider or case manager, please contact OurStep@CobblestoneProject.org for program packet that includes:

  • Program policies
  • Referring agency recommendation packet
  • Participant application packet
  • Documentation of Homelessness

In Kind Needs

  • Support networks to help with transportation, friendships, etc.
  • Furniture
  • Household Staples:  dishes, towels, cleaning supplies, etc.
  • Pantry Filling Food
  • Financial donations
  • Appliances:  washers, dryers, microwaves, refrigerators, etc.

Volunteer Needs

  • Collection of donated goods
  • Assistance with preparation for move in
  • Assistance with moving people into housing
  • Open hearts and communities to welcome in a new friend
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