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Southwestern Community Services
Homeless Services Programs
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Southwestern
Community Services, Inc. Homeless
Services Program provides direct and
immediate care to individuals and
families experiencing homelessness or
who are on the verge of becoming
homeless in Cheshire, Sullivan, and
Western Hillsboro counties. We are able
to do this through the programs below,
as well as through the agency’s
implementation of the federal
HEARTH Act on July 1, 2012 |
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Emergency Shelter
Southwestern Community Services (SCS) has short
term emergency shelter to assist families and
individuals who have a housing crisis. These
shelters can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. There are over 120 beds in Cheshire
and Sullivan counties.
Upon entering the emergency shelter program,
consumers receive comprehensive case management
to aid them in reaching and maintaining
self-sufficiency. The goal is to transition
individuals and families back into their
communities into safe affordable housing.
Case Management
Comprehensive case management includes:
- Daily/weekly meetings with Case Manager
- Needs and Goals assessments
- Referrals and support for substance
abuse and mental health treatment
- Budget counseling and savings program
- Life skills workshops to include
parenting, nutrition, time management,
family planning
- Off-site referrals to job readiness
training
- Telephone and computer access
- Tenancy 101 courses
Youth Services
Youth Services advocates for the children of
homeless families by securing their educational
needs, by providing referrals to necessary
services, and by assisting them with managing
self-esteem issues.
| Please call the Cheshire County
shelter at 603.357.1654 or the Sullivan
County shelter at 603.542.3160 for more
information about the Emergency Shelter
Program, Case Management, or Youth
Services. |
Homeless Outreach
The goal of the Homeless Outreach Program is to
aid the unsheltered homeless by seeking them
out, offering first friendship, then assistance
with shelter, food, medical treatment, and other
basic survival necessities.
Please call 211.
Transitional
Housing Program
The Transitional Housing Program provides rental
units and a comprehensive program to families
that are homeless and in need of longer term
case management.
Permanent Housing
Program
Eight permanent housing units have been
constructed or rehabbed for the use of eligible
homeless individuals and families in Sullivan
and Cheshire counties.
Shelter Plus Care
Program
A limited number of Rental Assistance vouchers
are available for homeless individuals and
families in Cheshire and Sullivan counties who
are afflicted with serious mental health issues
and/or substance abuse issues. The goal of this
program is to provide a sense of stability and
permanency to the recipients and link them to
available public assistance programs, job
training, and other opportunities.
| For more information, or to obtain an
application for the Transitional Housing
Program, the Permanent Housing Program, or the
Shelter Plus Care Program, please call
603.352.7512 ext. 4293. |
Housing Security
Guarantee Program
This program provides no interest loans to
eligible consumers for rental security deposits.
An
application for this program may be
printed for your convenience.
Prevention/Intervention
Services under this program help an individual
or family who is in imminent danger of becoming
homeless. This includes landlord/tenant
mediation, one-time financial supports, budget
counseling, and referrals to other resources.
For your convenience, an
application for this
program may be printed.
Foreclosure Intervention/Housing Stability Counseling
Foreclosure Intervention/Housing Stability
Counseling is a new SCS program offering
assistance to at-risk homeowners within Cheshire
and Sullivan counties. The program offers step
by step information and assistance to avoid
foreclosure; it also offers transitional housing
options. A program housing counselor works with
the homeowner throughout the process to achieve
a satisfactory resolution.
Forms to begin the process can be picked up at
the Keene or Claremont offices. Additional
information and forms on foreclosure help can be
found at
www.homehelpnh.org, or call NH #211 for
further assistance.
Tenancy 101
During this four-week class (one night per
week/two hours per night), participants will
learn what to look for in an apartment; how to
complete a rental application; what to expect in
and how to prepare for an interview; whether or
not the apartment is affordable to them; what a
lease is; how to be a good neighbor; the pros of
rental insurance; what is considered normal wear
and tear; landlord/tenant rights; the eviction
process; Section 8 housing; Housing Assistance
Coupon Voucher programs; and lots more.
Life Skills Classes
The Life Skills Program provides assistance in
acquiring knowledge in the basic skills of daily
living. It is presented in a workshop format
over a period of eight weeks. Topics covered
include: budgeting, work ethics, personal and
time management, nutrition, and parenting.
| Please call 603.352.7512 ext. 4225
or 4226 to obtain an application or to
learn more about the Housing Security
Guarantee Program, the Rental Guarantee
Program, Prevention/Intervention,
Tenancy 101, and Life Skills classes.
Please visit
www.homehelpnh.org or call NH
#211 for further information with
Foreclosure Intervention/Housing
Stability assistance. |
Food Pantry
Sometimes we find that our consumers are not
able to purchase food or other necessary items
due to financial constraints. The Food Pantry is
available to supplement the consumer’s budget,
thus easing their financial burdens.
| For more information about the Food
Pantry, please call 603.352.7512 |
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