Exodus Housing assists people going through transitional period

Published 1:01 pm Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sometimes circumstances put people out of their homes, but there are services in the community which help on the way back to stability.

Exodus Housing works with people in Pierce County and South King County who are in need of transitional housing. Most of the families served by Exodus Housing are affected by domestic violence, but it is not a requirement for being assisted.

People finding a residence through Exodus Housing typically live in a transitional situation for one or two years before finding a more permanent living situation.

Joe O’Neil is the executive director of Exodus Housing and has a background in social services, having worked with the Red Cross and United Way.

O’Neil said case managers help families find a safe, stable place to live while the residents obtain education or employment. Residents pay 30 percent.

Case managers work with the families to help them come up with a safe living environment.

Obstacles to becoming self-sufficient include the current lack of available jobs, reliable transportation, and developing the necessary skills to qualify for jobs. Exodus Housing’s programs are designed to help residents gain skills and knowledge in areas important for long-term success.

If Exodus Housing isn’t able to address the needs of a client in a specific subject, they may refer them to other community agencies.

Exodus Housing doesn’t own any property, but works with apartment owners to rent spaces for its clientele.

Because many who come to Exodus Housing aren’t currently employed and may not have the credit history needed to qualify for an apartment, Exodus Housing signs the leases of units are in their name, with the lease signed. O’Neil said the average price of a two-bedroom apartment in Pierce County is $926 and residents put 30 percent of their income toward rent.

A housing inspection is performed each month to ensure people living in the units are abiding by the rules set by their apartment manager and any rules in place for their program with Exodus Housing.

O’Neil said there is a large demand for services as more become homeless.

“It’s never that hard for us to find families,” he said.

There’s a group of people who are always on the fence and it just takes an event like the rising unemployment rate to send them over it.

“We’ve seen people who were gainfully employed for a long time,” he said.

A screening process including an interview determines who is an ideal candidate for Exodus Housing.

“It’s very selective,” O’Neil said.

Most of Exodus Housing’s residents are affected by domestic violence and one of the agency’s programs addresses this problem.

“Domestic violence is a learned behavior,” O’Neil said.

Counselors help parents understand the need to create positive changes for the sake of the children, O’Neil said.

Next Chapter is a family program aimed at breaking the cycle of domestic violence. People coming from a background which includes domestic violence can be fundamentally changed by the experience.

“It actually changes the way the children think and develop,” he said.

For more information contact Exodus Housing 253-862-6808 or visit www.exodushousing.org.