There’s No Place Like Home
Twenty-six Homeless Individuals Will Soon be Living Independently
In October of 2006, The United Way of Hudson County received a matching grant from HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,) called Collaborative Solutions for Supportive Housing Programs.
The Collaborative Solutions grant is a collaborative effort between the United Way of Hudson County, HUD, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation and the Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC) Shelter. The grant is for those individuals who meet HUD’s definition of chronic homelessness and allows homeless individuals to live independently in their own apartment. The goals of the grant are to help homeless individuals:
- Obtain and remain in permanent housing,
- Increase their job skills and/or income and
- Achieve greater self-determination that will lead to self-sufficiency and a better life.
Using the “Housing First” model that combines an apartment with supportive services, the grant allows for 26 individuals to live in independent apartments throughout Hudson County and is part of the County’s Ten-year plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Hudson County. This HUD grant and United Way match money, which amounted to a total of $1.2 million, is being utilized to place 26 homeless individuals in apartments.
On April 1, 2007, the Collaborative Solutions grant subsidized the first person to be placed in an apartment. His name is Mario.
Mario in his own apartment
Mario with Dan Altilio, President, and Carmel Galasso, Housing Director of the United Way of Hudson County in Mario’s new apartment.
And on April 23, 2007, United Way of Hudson County President Dan Altilio and United Way of Hudson County Director of Housing Services Carmel Galasso had the pleasure of meeting Mario in his apartment. When asked what it meant to him to have his own apartment at last, Mario said, “I feel like a human being. I can cook, make coffee for myself, and take a bath when I want.” He also has the security of knowing he doesn’t have to get up in the morning and leave (like he did in the shelter), or spend his day time hours trying to find a place that will keep him safe and protected when the weather turns bad. During the visit, Mario was a gracious host and cooked a delicious meal for President Altilio and Director Carmel. It was evident to them both that Mario felt grateful to finally have a place he can call home.
“This model does not just give Mario shelter but teaches him to live as an individual in a community that fosters independence and self esteem,” President Altilio says. “There are many people to thank for their efforts including my fellow co-chairs of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Hudson County, the United Way Of Hudson County’s Board members who approved this grant and all the individuals and agencies that collaborated with us on the grant. On behalf of Mario and all the others we will find a home for, I say ‘thank you.’”
