Exodus Housing Rapid Rehousing Program
Exodus Housing subscribes to a policy of equal opportunity. Exodus Housing prohibits discrimination against clients and potential clients based on the following classifications: race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or family status, age, religion or creed, marital status, political affiliation, disabled veterans status, Vietnam Era status, or disability. Similarly, Exodus Housing prohibits its employees from discriminating in provision of services against anyone based on any legally protected classification.
Rapid Rehousing
Exodus Housing helps families by quickly moving them from homelessness to permanent housing by providing them with access to fair market rent units rented by private landlords. Families have input about the geographical area where they want to live, though we also give them resources for housing with landlords we currently have connections with. Exodus pays for all the move-in costs to include first/last month’s rent, deposits, application fees, and utility deposits. Our Family Service Specialists assist the families by being the liaison between them and the landlord for move-in negotiation and relationship building.
Rental Assistance
Households receive monthly rental assistance if needed. The Household pays a percentage of their income towards the rent, which is paid directly to the landlord and Exodus Housing subsidizes the rest. The goal is for the client portion to increase and Exodus Housing’s portion to decrease throughout their time in the program. This continues until the household is ready to exit and pay the full rent on their own.
Case Management Supportive Services
All households receive our individualized, customized case management services that are a nationally recognized, strengths based empowerment model. This means that the type and level of service delivery is unique to each individual family. Our family Service Specialists help the households to determine their barriers and strengths through the intake process and then formulate a long-term stability plan that breaks down their barriers leading to independence and self-sufficiency. Case Management may also involve monthly goal/budget review meetings, wrap around service coordination and referrals to community resources. The overall goal is to ensure that the family is more stable financially from entry to exit so they are able to sustain the housing on their own.
“I felt very blessed and grateful getting housing. I finally feel safe and secure. My daughter was reunited with me shortly after getting a safe place to live. I feel very accomplished, having my own apartment, paying off my debt, and paying all of my bills. I like setting goals because it gives me something to aim for. When I meet them, I feel accomplished. I am finally very happy in my life! Exodus has helped me to build self-confidence, self respect and the ability to manage my bills with my income. I am very grateful.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What services do you provide?
We provide connections to permanent housing through our rapid rehousing program, monthly rental assistance, and case management custom supportive services to low income households who are fleeing, or attempting to flee domestic violence.
What is “permanent housing”?
We help households secure a housing unit of their choice (must remain in Pierce County) with the rental lease in their own name. Having the lease in the head of household’s name means that when they exit our program, they are able to remain permanently housed. Households pay a portion of their income towards rent and Exodus Housing pays the balance which continues until the family is ready to exit.
What is “case management”?
A Family Service Specialist works with the households to develop a long-term individual stability goal & budget plan that promotes the skills and resources needed for housing stability, self-sufficiency and independence. This continues on a monthly basis until the household exits the program.
Who are your clients? Where do they come from?
We serve low income households who have become homeless due to fleeing domestic violence. We can also serve families that may be attempting to flee from the abuser but has not had the opportunity to do so. All our clients must be referred to us through Pierce County Coordinated Entry system. The majority of the families that are referred to us come from domestic violence shelters, or from places that are not habitable such as cars or the streets.
What areas do you serve?
All our units must be located in Pierce County.
What year was Exodus Housing started?
Exodus Housing began in 1994 with funding and a vision from a local Sumner businessperson and retired Lutheran minister. Their goal was to start a housing agency to help families who were homeless in East Pierce County since at that time, resources in the area were limited.
What is your success rate?
Our goal is that 80% of the families who exit our program will retain their housing and 70% will increase their income from entry to exit, generally through employment. Year after year we typically meet or exceed this goal which is reflected in our annual report.
What are your funding sources?
We receive funding from government contracts (federal, state, county, city), private foundations/trusts, individual donors, local businesses, and also churches.
Are you a faith-based organization?
We are a faith-affiliated agency who collaborates with local communities of faith for financial and in-kind support of our mission.