Not having stable, safe, affordable housing can have a large impact on your life. Ask Julie Tapia who was one of yesterday's graduates from Families Forward's Ready-to-Rent program offered to Bethlehem Inn residents.
"If I had had this class years ago," said Tapia, "it would have stopped a downward spiral I have been in. Not having housing means you have no stability and you are not providing for your kid," she went on to say.
Life hasn't gone smoothly for Tapia, a single mother living at Bethlehem Inn with her nine year old child, a four-month old baby, and the baby's father, Matthew Bain. They have been residents at Bend's homeless shelter since December 1, 2008.
Ms. Tapia had been a resident of Bend for several years. She was a single mother working at a wireless cellular telephone service provider, receiving rental assistance and food stamps to supplement her income. During her four years at the company, her pay was increased to the point she no longer qualified for much of the assistance. At the same time, her paycheck wasn't enough to make ends meet.
Ms. Tapia and Matthew Bain have known each other for 25 years but got together in 2006. Bain was employed as a window washer but after a neck injury was no longer able to work. A plumber by trade, he had been employed in Medford before coming to Central Oregon.
In July of 2008, Bain received a job offer in Medford. The job offer, coupled with the prospect of being closer to Mr. Bain's children, motivated the couple to move to Medford. Unfortunately the employment opportunity did not materialize. Because of their past ties to the Central Oregon community, the couple returned to Bend and, homeless, moved into the Bethlehem Inn where their baby was born.
The couple had past rental issues and had been denied rental housing. They saw the Ready-to-Rent program as a way of learning how to overcome those issues. Tapia reported that she was already implementing some of the things she had learned. Both she and Bain are looking for work and a place to rent.
"This program has given me more than knowledge," said Tapia. "It has made me feel empowered. I've learned the importance of not just following the rules of the lease but of having open communication with your landlord - and to document everything for everyone's benefit."
The Ready-to-Rent program is aimed at creating more housing opportunities for renters who may have past issues that are barring them from finding housing. The housing readiness education allows program participants to work closely with housing specialists and collaborative organizations to accept responsibility for past rental issues; repair credit and create a workable budget; develop a housing search plan; understand the application and rental process; and how to communicate effectively with their landlord. Through the information provided in the program, at-risk renters can become successful renters.
"I've learned the importance of not just following the rules of the lease,"
said Tapia, "but of having open communication with your landlord."
Bruce Jaqua, Housing Works' Resident Services Manager, who is one of the two certified instructors for the program in Central Oregon, both from Housing Works.
"The Ready-to-Rent program provides an excellent learning opportunity for the students," says Jaqua. "One of the key tenets that the students learn is that 'knowledge is power.' This class provides them that knowledge as well as the tools needed to be able to help them find the life that they want for themselves and their families."
This is the second class to be offered at the homeless shelter. In collaboration with Bethlehem Inn, Housing Works offered the first Ready-to-Rent class in June of 2008 with 12 participants. Nine graduated and
4 of those moved out of the Bethlehem Inn and into their own homes.
The most recent session of this class at Bethlehem Inn saw six graduates receive their certificates of completion. One person left the program early after utilizing what they had learned in one session and had found a place to rent. Several others moved out the area before completing the class.
"Ready to Rent is a truly remarkable program," said Chris Clouart, Operations Manager at the homeless shelter. "The option of offering our residents a positive path to stable residency through this program is such a help. And at the end of the process they have certification and the look on their faces when that certificate is handed over is joyous."
The Bethlehem Inn is Central Oregon's largest emergency shelter offering housing and nutritious meals to men, women and families. The goal is to provide safety and security to the regions most vulnerable citizens. 2009 marks the Bethlehem Inns 10th anniversary.
The Ready-to-Rent program originated at the Portland Housing Center and is now offered in 10 states and British Columbia. It has been endorsed by the Oregon Apartment Association, Oregon Rental Housing Association, Metro Multifamily Housing Council of Oregon and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon.
Funding for the Families Forward program has come from donations from U.S. Bank, Bank of the Cascades, and the United Way/Project Homeless Connect, as well as grants obtained by Bethlehem Inn to offer the program to residents.
Families Forward was created by Housing Works, the regional housing authority. The nonprofit was formed to provide the resources and collaborative partnerships needed to offer the housing authority's clients greater access to services and educational programs. The intent is to increase the numbers of households achieving economic independence and self-sufficiency and to provide opportunities for affordable homeownership.
Other Families Forward programs include the Opportunities for Kids Scholarship Fund; the Gateway Center, for career development which includes a boutique to provide program graduates with free work-appropriate clothing; and one-on-one counseling and education for lower income households who may be struggling to become or succeed as first time homeowners.
