Rebuilding Lives, Ending Homelessness

Hamilton Family Center's First Avenues Program: firstavenues.org

Hamilton Family Center , a nationally recognized non-profit, has been working to end homelessness for more than 22 years, and offers care at every level. We are the largest providers of housing options, eviction prevention assistance, shelter, and home-based support services for homeless families in San Francisco. Starting with just one family shelter in 1985, we now operate six programs and an interactive website for homeless and low-income families.

Our mission is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Through a Housing First approach, we provide a continuum of housing solutions and active intervention services that promote self-sufficiency for families and individuals.

FIRST AVENUES – HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES :

This program is designed to move families into permanent housing as quickly as possible, and to assist at-risk families avoid eviction. Some of the core elements of the program include: the allocation of more resources toward the goal of preventing families from entering shelter; enhanced home-based support services; temporary rental subsidies; and rapidly re-housing families who are in shelter programs. Our staff works with families to clear eviction and credit problems, follow a savings plan, secure rental units, and access move-in grants. Families continue to benefit from services and support for a full year after they leave the shelter. Case managers make home visits, provide personal direction, and help families access local resources such as counseling, child care, health care, parenting classes, and support groups.

HAMILTON FAMILY EMERGENCY CENTER :

This program offers newly homeless families 24-hour access to emergency overnight shelter or a place to stay for 60 days. We provide basic services that include a warm bed, three meals a day and crisis intervention counseling and support. We also offer on-site medical services.

HAMILTON FAMILY RESIDENCES :

This is the largest homeless family shelter in San Francisco. We offer up to six months of shelter while providing comprehensive support services that include case management, individual and group therapy, three meals a day, employment and life skills training, referrals, and assistance securing housing.

HAMILTON FAMILY TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM :

This program offers 20 families temporary housing in their own apartments and comprehensive support services for up to 18 months. In collaboration with the Drug Dependency Court and the Child Welfare Program, the Transitional Program gives them time to identify and address the causes of their homelessness. Families improve budgeting, parenting, and other life skills while preparing for economic and housing stability.

THE DUDLEY APARTMENTS :

Hamilton Family Center offers onsite social services to formerly homeless families, and extremely low-income seniors and single adults living in this 75-unit permanent supportive housing program created in partnership with Mercy Housing California. Staff helps residents stabilize their lives and address issues such as mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, and physical disabilities. The Dudley Apartments is a crucial resource for chronically homeless families and individuals and offers them a permanent housing solution.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES :

Children and Youth services are a crucial element of breaking the homelessness cycle, providing special care for the most vulnerable. We offer daily recreational and enrichment activities for children from birth to age 17 in a safe, supportive environment where homelessness carries no stigma. Children and their parents also have access to a mental health therapist who is available to meet with them individually and help them learn strategies to cope with the problems they face. The therapist also hosts a number of support groups including a women’s empowerment meeting, parent and infant play therapy sessions, and a parent support group.

www.myhousing.org :

This new website is targeted to low-income, homeless, and formerly homeless families. We created it to help families locate and maintain housing. In addition, families can find information on everything from eviction prevention assistance to employment listings to childcare resources to healthcare referrals. Listings on the site are for San Francisco, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.