Library panel discusses housing issues

The Pickaway County Library recently hosted a panel discussion covering many different issues involving housing in Pickaway. “Underhoused” means that there is inadequate or poor housing. The term “underhoused” is increasingly being used, along with “unhoused” as an alternative to “homeless.”

The topics discussed were very broad, from housing for homeless families to programs for foster children who are aging out of the system to a shelter for battered women to programs to support food security among children who have unstable housing arrangements.

Representatives of Pickaway County service organizations who were on the panel included:

Kristi Smith, Director of Integrated Service for Behavior Health

Lisa Johnson, Director of Haven House of Pickaway County, Inc.

Ashley Patton, Outreach Director for The Covering

Lindsay Juchau, Community Relations with Hope Valley

Dawn Whiteside, Educational Services Center Homeless Liaison

The panelists knew each other well and have worked together sharing resources and referrals. They are often able to point those in need to the best organization for them. They pointed out that there was no hierarchy organizing the efforts or directing resources in Pickaway County. If they are 501©3 non-profit charities, they must hold their own fundraiser. If they are not a charity, they must qualify for government grants or programs.

One subject they all agreed on was the need for more people to get involved with the Homeless Initiative organized by Mark Denniston, Outreach Ministries Director at the Community United Methodist Church. The group is a collection of volunteers and is open to all who want to help. There are no dues or donations required. Enter through Entrance B.

The Haven House is a domestic violence and homeless shelter for women and children. Lisa Johnson has been the Director for 21 years.

“If you are a victim of domestic violence and your house is dangerous, you’re homeless,” she said. “What we do is try to work them into self-sufficiency, so they don’t need to rely on their abuser.”

The Haven House is a 32-room facility — 2 beds per room. However, if a man is staying in one of the rooms, then they can’t put a women in with them. Currently, there are 14 adults and 10 children staying there. then two beds are taken. Haven House contains a kitchen, a laundry and a big playroom for kids.

Johnson explained that not all are appropriate for Haven House, with children and babies running around. Johnson will sometimes try a client out, and if it isn’t working, they will be asked to leave.

“Please understand that Homeless people are not drug addicts and horrible people. They are people that have been to hell and back. They have been through trauma and trauma will do many things to people,” said Johnson.

Stating that homeless people are not drug addicts raised a few eyebrows in the crowd. However, it was clear from the context of her talk, that she was referring to the homeless living at Haven House, for whom she is a strong advocate.

According to the Addiction Center (https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/homelessness), there is a connection between homelessness and addiction. But the addiction doesn’t always come first. Sometimes it’s homelessness and then addiction. Homelessness is a harsh lifestyle that can lead to using drugs or alcohol to dull the pain.

In 2022, there were approximately 600,000 long-term homeless in the U.S., the homeless who are not in a shelter or program. The National Coalition for the Homeless found that 55% of homeless people are alcohol dependent and 25% are dependent on drugs or other harmful substances. A significant number of mental health issues also face the unsheltered homeless.

Johnson stated that almost always, there has been some form of trauma in the lives of the homeless. Trauma can come from being incarcerated, being addicted or being abused.

“The women we house have been trauma affected,” said Johnson. “We don’t ask ‘what did you do to get yourself here?’ but rather ‘Oh Lord, what happened to you?’”

The limit for their program is two years. The goal is to work with their trauma and get them into permanent housing.

Ashley Patton is the Outreach Director for The Covering, which held an Open House on Saturday, May 25, and their story was covered in an article last week. The Covering is a Christ-centered residential & transitional living in a home & family environment for women & children. It is a 501©3 non-profit organization.

When an audience member voiced concerns about the high cost of housing, there was much discussion. It was pointed out that buying or building a home for a homeless person at a cost of $130,000 to $150,000 is not a sustainable solution.

“It is only a solution for that one family,” said Johnson. Finding a global solution to the homelessness problem is proving to be very elusive.

Kristi Smith, Director of Integrated Service for Behavior HealthSome in the audience suggested that a community of tiny homes be constructed, as kits can cost as low as $15,000 (without land). Would any township or city in Pickaway County permit zoning for a cluster of tiny homes? Even building apartment buildings have met with resistance.

Kristi Smith, Director of Integrated Service for Behavior Health, manages a “Rapid Re-housing Program” that exclusively helps homeless families. The program is currently not available for single women or men, or for couples. It provides short-term rental assistance and services. The assistance provided is full payment of the monthly rent for a maximum of six months.

She currently is working with 54 families looking for rapid re-housing. Since November, she has put about 18 families into permanent housing. Smith will help clients look for housing, but only if they are looking also. Smith has a list of 59 landlords that she checks with on a frequent basis.

Rapid Re-Housing is a fairly new approach structured to those who are homeless. As described by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Rapid Re-Housing is an outgrowth of the Housing First strategy to end homelessness.

Smith frequently gets referrals from Lisa Johnson at Haven House and others. After completing an initial application, Smith will interview the homeless family’s guardian and explain the program. Everyone is approved, even those with no income.

Smith will help clients look for housing, but only if they are looking also. Smith has a list of 59 landlords that she checks with on a frequent basis. Finding housing units for her clients if the biggest impediment to placement.

When a unit is found, Smith will perform a walk-through inspection to make sure the appliances work and that the unit is sanitary. Smith will help find furniture also. Once all the paperwork is done and approved, the Landlord will get a monthly check directly from Smith’s Lancaster office directly to the Landlord. Neither Smith nor the client will handle any of the money. The lease must be for one full year. The goal of the program is to get the family back on their feet and into a stable housing unit so that the guardian can find work and become self-sufficient.

Lindsay Jachau is the Community Relations Coordinator with Hope Valley Recovery, a Trade Name (or a “doing business as” name) for a privately owned corporation that operates many recovery service locations. Hope Valley is a Medicaid Detox facility that focuses on treating the individual as a whole. According to their website, “In addition to treating the substance use disorders and mental health disorders, we also focus on guiding the client to a successful future by addressing barriers in their way.”

Hope Valley Recovery has an outpatient facility on the south side of Franklin Street near the Circleville Probation Office and Municipal Court building.

Dawn Whiteside represented the Pickaway County Educational Services Center (ESC), formerly the Pickaway County Board of Education. It was founded in 1914, so it has been serving Pickaway County for about 100 years. ESCs were established through an act of the Ohio General Assembly. They receive their funding from the school districts to whom they provide services. ESCs are not allowed to generate funds through taxation.

The law created 88 “County School Districts” and gave them the responsibility of “elevating the state’s system of education to a proper standard.” All four Pickaway County school districts receive services from PCESC

Services provided by the ESC include FBI background checks, special education services, pre-service training for school bus drivers, and many other services.

One service that Whiteside has helped with is the “Blessings in a Backpack” program which is run by Gina Warner. The audience was very supportive of this program, a food supplement program for school-age children. The program collects and distributes healthy snack options for children in Pickaway County elementary schools. The children can take snacks home for the weekend to supplement their diet and ensure a hunger-free weekend.

Blessings in a Backpack is a 501©3 non-profit organization. This means that donors to their charitable organization are allowed a tax deduction. A recent fundraiser collected $21,575 and was also given a matching donation of $20,000 by Gouge Roofing, which many audience members expressed appreciation for.

One final program was mentioned, a summer program for the children in Ted Lewis Park sponsored by the Pickaway Area Recovery Services (PARS) organization. PARS is located in four different counties and offers four levels of treatment: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient and Residential. Since 1978, they have been serving men and women who abuse alcohol and drugs.

The PARS is sponsoring a program of free lunches at Ted Lewis Park every Monday and Wednesday this summer from Monday, June 17th to Wednesday, July 31st. The free lunch program is called “PARS in the Park.” The program is for children entering the 1st grade through the 6th grade. The time is from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays only.

The children will also take advantage of the fun activities at Ted Lewis Park while there. All children are welcome; same-day registration is offered at the park. For more details, call PARS Prevention at 740-420-9490.

For additional information on any of the above subjects, everyone was encouraged to attend the next “Homeless Initiative” meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th at the Community United Methodist Church, Entrance B. For more information, contact Mark Denniston, Outreach Ministries Director at outreach@circlevillecumc.org.