GIFFEN HOUSE
Questions and Answers
WHAT IS GIFFEN
HOUSE? Affordable housing
for single mothers with children and single women who are working toward
overcoming their homelessness, getting off of public assistance and working
toward long term stability. All residents are enrolled in an individualized
program designed to help them find employment, a living wage, and obtain
permanent housing.
WHO IS THE PROJECT
SPONSOR?
Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County (formerly SCPEO). In the
35
years since CAPSC was designated as the county’s Community Action Agency by
the Board of Supervisors, the agency has been the partner of choice by local
government, other agencies, and neighborhood groups to address poverty related
issues. Programs currently
administered by CAPSC include the county’s Head Start program, Children’s
Health Services (at the county’s only elementary school based health center),
YouthBuild Santa Rosa, Youth Development, and Housing Services.
CAPSC’s Housing Services operates a privately funded homeless
prevention program, the county’s only non-sectarian emergency shelter for
women, a transitional house for single mothers, a case management program for
homeless families, and a Fair Housing/Tenant-Landlord information and referral
service.
WHY IS THIS FACILITY
NEEDED?
Under current Welfare Reform legislation, most recipients of public
assistance are required to gain suitable employment within a fixed amount of
time. For homeless women, many of whom are single mothers without a stable
employment history, it requires a significant investment of time, effort and
resources to find job training and employment; additional time is needed to save
the money necessary to acquire permanent housing. Giffen assists women in their
transition from homelessness to productive citizenship by providing them with
six to eighteen months of affordable housing and supportive services.
DO COMMUNITY MEMBERS
SUPPORT GIFFEN? As a non-profit facility charging below-market rents,
Giffen House welcomes and depends upon support from the community. Volunteers
have painted the interior and exterior, provided landscaping, performed wiring,
plumbing and general repairs, and redecorated the children’s toy room. Other
volunteers offer child care, teach children’s art classes, and help with meal
preparation on holidays and weekends.
WHY IS TRANSITIONAL
HOUSING LIKE GIFFEN IMPORTANT? In the tight housing market we
face in Sonoma County, it is nearly impossible for single mothers escaping
welfare and homeless women to rent an affordable apartment. Without secure
housing, their chances of success in overcoming the barriers to self-sufficiency
which perpetuate the cycle of homelessness are small.
Transitional Housing like Giffen House provides a safe and
supportive environment for up to a tow year period. This enables our clients to
have a chance to rebuild their lives and prepare for a realistic future in
Sonoma County.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF
GIFFEN HOUSE ?
Giffen House fits into an overall scheme referred to as the
Homelessness Continuum of Care. This refers to a flow of housing and
services designed to take a client through a range of appropriate opportunities
to stabilize their lives and grow. Housing ranges from emergency, short tem
shelters through transitional housing of up to two years to permanent affordable
housing. Services range from emergency stabilization to intensive, focused case
management, which leads to an Individual Services Plan which is designed to
result in long term self-sufficiency and self-actualization. All the elements of
the Continuum of Care depend upon each other for maximum success.
WHAT ARE THE NEEDS
OF GIFFEN HOUSE?
The needs at Giffen House can be as simple as clothing and food
donations or preparing a Sunday meal. Childcare services provide mothers with a
welcome respite. Volunteers can perform landscaping or building maintenance
tasks.
CAN I VISIT GIFFEN
HOUSE? Visits can be arranged through the CAPSC the Development Department.
