NeahCasa

Emergency Housing

NeahCasa's  Emergency Housing Mission

Develop programs that provide compassionate, cost effective responses to those, here, in our community who are faced with life crises that require emergency housing resources.

Strategy

Support existing emergency services programs with housing related assistance. 

NeahCasa Response

NeahKahNieSchool District's Family Resource Program

The district provides Family Resource Coordinators and Resource Centers in each school work to mitigate the impacts of homlessness, providing family case management and referral services, resource centers for clothing, books and other essentials, and assistance in finding housing.  The program is funded under the Federal McKinney-Vento Act through the State of Oregon.  The premise of the program is that a stable home life is essential to the learning environment.

In 2005, the coordinators told NeahCasa that their greatest need was emergency funds for families threatened with homelessness - evictions and utility shutoffs. In a district with 688 students, with well over 50% falling under poverty criteria and qualifying for the student lunch program, there are typically 40 to 50 students whose families fall into homelessness.  This tragedy is being faced in the context of a skyrocketing recreational, retirement and 2nd home market locally which continues to eat away at the few affordable alternatives that do exist. 

NeahCasa's Student Family Emergency Housing Grant Program was designed in cooperation with the district.  Its first family grant was made in January of 2006.   The district reports that this is the only reliable and effective tool they have in addressing homelessness itself and that the families we assist stay in the district and the kids remain in school.

	Jay Kosik, District Superintendent: “the District expresses sincere appreciation for the commitment of NeahCasa to the District’s Family Resource Program and our families.  Their effectiveness has been remarkable. Affordable housing and emergency housing support are so critical to educational development”.

Corollary assistance by NeahCasa includes housing search resources, leadership in bringing tenant training resources to the county, close coordination with the Northwest Oregon Housing Authority (NOHA), development of affordable housing resources and landlord assistance to those interested in providing affordable long term rentals.

Women's Resource Center

Sadly, of course, domestic violence continues to be an issue in the county.  NeahCasa has been privileged to help in a small way with the long-awaited new Domestic Violence Shelter.   Someday we hope to help establish one in the Nehalem Bay area as well.