Personnel from the Hamilton City School District became aware of the number of homeless children coming to school lacking
the basic necessities for learning. Through their outreach programs, the Hamilton Dream Center personnel also became
aware of families who were living in homeless conditions in local motels and nearby emergency shelters.
Families
in local motels pay $40 per day ($640 per month) for one room, two beds, and no kitchen facilities. This form of homelessness
provides no stability, no continuity, and no predictability for the families.
In order
to address these issues, Neighborhood Housing Services and the Hamilton Dream Center formed a partnership to provide transitional
housing and necessary social services for individuals and families. Neighborhood Housing Services received
HOME funds to acquire and rehab a foreclosed multi-family building in a historic neighborhood in Hamilton. NHSH provides three units
of transitional housing (two of which are handicap accessible). The home is located within walking distance
of other public services. Tenants must sign a 12 month lease with Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton,
Inc. Because this is transitional housing, the maximum occupancy is 18 months; therefore, a lease can only be extended
for 6 months from the orignial 12 month lease. A deposit is not required for these units. Tenant rent is approximately
half the cost of living in a motel. Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton, Inc. places a portion of the rent into
an escrow account (must meet qualifications to receive the escrow) to be used for deposit and first month's rent at their
permanent housing residence. The Hamilton Dream Center Church provides three free meals per week,
access to their food pantry, transportation, winter coats, and school supplies.
To date,
the previous tenants that have occupied the Dream Center have moved on to permanent housing situations.
In September of 2018, NHSH celebrated their 25th Anniversary by dedicating
this building in honor of our founding Board President, Louis R. Armstead.
