SHELTER INC

SHELTER, INC.S WORK ENCOMPASSES THREE MAIN ELEMENTS:PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS: PREVENTION IS A COST-EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, USUALLY AS A RESULT OF AN UNEXPECTED EVENT WHICH TEMPORARILY MAKES THEM UNABLE TO MEET THEIR RENT OBLIGATIONS. DEPENDING ON THEIR LEVEL OF RISK, HOUSEHOLDS ARE OFFERED INDIVIDUALIZED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EITHER ON A ONE-TIME BASIS REFERRED TO OTHER SHORT TERM PROGRAMS (TYPICALLY 3 TO 12 MONTHS) TO PROVIDE THEM INCREASING SUPPORT AS THEY STABILIZE THEIR HOUSING AND DEVELOP RESOURCES FOR GREATER FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY.ENDING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS: SHELTER, INC. PROVIDES HOMELESS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH INTERIM AND PERMANENT HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES TO HELP THEM REGAIN HOUSING ANDINCREASED SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THIS HOUSING FIRST APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO HELP REDUCE THE INCIDENCES AND DURATION OF HOMELESSNESS FOR LOW-INCOME AND DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER A VARIETY OF PUBLICLY-FUNDED HOUSING PROGRAMS. SERVICES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SUCCESS INCLUDE ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT, HOUSING SEARCH ASSISTANCE, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AND BUDGETING GUIDANCE.PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING: AFFORDABLE HOUSING MEANS HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD. IT CURRENTLY TAKES 4.5 FULL-TIME MINIMUM WAGE JOBS TO AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. SHELTER, INC. OWNS AND MASTER LEASES UNITS THAT OFFER SAFE, QUALITY RENTAL UNITS AT AFFORDABLE RENTS OR WHICH ARE SUBSIDIZED FOR ELIGIBLE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO INCREASE THE STOCK OF UNITS ACCESSIBLE TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.