Past History
Joshua House has been a very informal, non-funded voluntary program with two key people acting as a liaison to find shelter for the homeless, provide community dinners or provide transportation support on a case by case basis. Case by case need is identified through community folks who have called and said that someone could use a meal or a ride somewhere. In 1996 we formed the Vermont Non-profit Corporation Joshua’s House – but we never moved forward at that time and the status was reinstated this year. People have sought us out to form a more organized entity and have volunteered to serve on the Board. We believe this interest has occurred because recently we have been asked to seek out the resources to help homeless people find shelter for the night. It is these events that have led to the formalization of Joshua’s House and an application for Federal non-profit status. Since our plans have come to pass, Gov. Jim Douglas of Vermont is in the process of forming a Council to tackle the homeless problems. This will not preclude the need for a non-profit to help in this effort, this information substantiates the need.
Current Status
2003: Reorganized the Board of Directors in July 2003. Increased membership by four and replaced two previous board members making a total of six members. We are recruiting six more board members for a total of twelve directors as allowed in the by-laws. We have begun some fundraising, and our checking account requires two signatories.
We have had some discussions with representatives of local service agencies that have confirmed they do not have a designated facility for shelter or transitional housing and that they would use such a facility if it existed. The problem is becoming so acute the news has covered three headlines on homeless issues in the newspaper this week alone. A recent grant award to the local community action agency will provide restricted housing for victims of domestic violence who are in need of transitional housing. This same agency is seeking funding for transitional housing for substance recovery residents only and it is located as much as 40 miles away for most of those in need in our communities. There is no shelter per se. There is one apartment house that can house four individuals. Our research has shown town clerks can provide a stipend for the night – per Vermont law – but there are no facilities other than the local motels. Several of us as individuals in the area have recognized the need for temporary shelter and transitional housing and have incorporated this need into our mission statement. We do not take in any funds at this time for services, we only act as a resource and bring the homeless to a motel and let payment be processed through the individual and the hotel owner. While this is not the best system, it is at least meeting the need for the moment.
What the future holds
to be conducted – A twelve member board will provide oversight to a facility that will house a minimum of 20 residents that would be a mix of individuals and families. There will be two dorm rooms holding six beds each that can provide either male or female occupancy. There will be two, 2 bedroom sections that will house families. The facility will be handicap accessible. The facility will be operated by a full-time house manager(s) who will live on the premises. There will be additional male and female staff on call at all times who will come when residents are there and to meet the dietary and household needs of the residents. There will be full time law enforcement contracted as needed. The emergency shelter will be on the theory of a one week stay with additional services provided by the appropriate human service agencies in the area. Occupants must sign into the transitional program by the end of a week, at which time they would then be considered in the transitional housing program. In the transitional program residents would provide community service which could include helping around the home. All residents would be required to attend meetings, counseling sessions, workforce development education and other related services.
We are seeking funds to purchase land (or a home). We will then submit applications to any and all agencies that provide funding to build or purchase housing, such as HUD. We are looking to locate in the town of Irasburg Vermont but this is not a requirement. People in this area are known to donate land for worthwhile causes. We would change our location if such an offer were made after receiving official 501 C 3 status. We will begin researching HUD information for the funding of this project.
We are Christians who will operate this non-denominational facility to all in need regardless of race, religion, preference, gender, or creed. We are seeking recognition as a federally identified non-profit for the purpose of building this facility and employing local people to provide services. Currently the local agencies are stretched in meeting the needs for all their eligible clients for human services needs of the area. There is no public transportation in the area. The nearest shopping mall is 40 miles away; 66% of roads are unpaved; and the area is rural and isolated. The needs are increasing. This area known as the “ Northeast Kingdom ” of Vermont comprises three counties with a total population of about 60,862. Essex , Orleans and Caledonia Counties of Vermont . The “ Northeast Kingdom ’s” is the most isolated and sparsely populated corner of the state. As a result, it has consistently been the most economically distressed. The countryside villages have lost their economic foundation, leaving behind poverty and a community infrastructure with few means of support. The Center for Rural studies shows poverty at 14.1% in Orleans County ; 12.3% in Caledonia County ; and 13.7 % in Essex County .
The Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP), a pilot program, was established to mitigate the negative effects of a lack of employment opportunities and job losses to rural communities. Three years ago, thanks to Senator Patrick Leahy, this area was declared the fifth and last REAP zone for the United States This REAP designation is also established to create an environment for communities to find strategies to solve their own problems. Included in the REAP plan is a formula [not an action] for addressing the housing problem. “Housing …provide housing to homeless families, individuals, and youths; expand transitional housing that matches housing opportunity with independent living skill development; eliminate lead based paint in homes and educate citizens on essential maintenance practices.” www.ezec.gov/Communit/vtreap.html
It is our intent to work with the Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative (the lead non-profit in the REAP designation), Northeast Kingdom Community Action which includes the Step ONE domestic violence prevention program, Tri-Counties Substance Abuse Prevention, Mental Health, Social and Rehabilitative Services and Adult Education agencies to name a few.
Sustainability
This will come primarily from donations and fee for services through all the human service agencies that could refer clients to us for the housing while these agencies in turn could provide the transitional services that will be needed to help clients become productive contributing members of our local society.
