|
Mission Statement
Elijah Family Homes, a faith-based organization, fosters hope, dignity and self-sufficiency through stable housing and supportive services for families in recovery.
Background Studies show that safe housing in a stable neighborhood can increase a family’s ability to find employment, seek higher education and become contributing members in the community. Elijah Family Homes strives to make that happen.
Elijah Family Homes is a faith-based organization that started at Christ the King Church. EFH has operated in the Tri-Cities since May 2005. Clients are not required to hold any particular religious beliefs or to participate in any religious services.
Commitments Rent subsidies for EFH families count as the biggest financial commitment. Tenants pay their share of rent on a sliding scale. EFH subsidies cost an average of $5,000 per family, per year. During the last year, EFH served 8-10 families at a time, with up to 27 children. Several families are on the waiting list.
Children’s safety and security in their homes and neighborhoods commands a primary focus in selecting EFH housing. EFH tenants are a special-needs population where
· children and parents have experienced trauma · children, once removed from their parents’ care, are now reunited · parents often lack a supportive family safety net · families have often experienced multiple generations of poverty, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and poor education
In an effort to control client housing conditions, EFH obtained a duplex in Richland in 2008. It was purchased through a grant from the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program. In 2009, a Richland home was donated to EFH, with funds to bring it up to code and do modest remodeling. In 2010, under the same HUD program, EFH purchased a duplex in Pasco. In 2011, EFH and Domestic Violence Services of Benton & Franklin counties became joint owners of a 4-plex in Kennewick to help families in transition. Also in 2011, EFH was awarded a duplex in Richland currently awaits the completion of renovations.
All totaled, Elijah Family Homes owns nine units in five properties and will pursue adding additional ones as funding allows.
Goal and Provisions A major goal of EFH is to break the cycle of substance abuse and generational poverty for local families. Elijah Family Homes provides 1) assistance while parents complete education and begin employment; 2) mentors, tutors and role models; 3) monthly random drug urinalysis tests, if there is a history of drug abuse; and 4) monthly group meetings to address common problems, learn skills and interact socially in wholesome, family activities. One measure of success is that all EFH-supported children remained in the same school last school year.
Today and the Future
Today, Elijah Family Homes maintains an active role in a supportive community network. EFH has long-term objectives to increase the number of families served in the next year. EFH’s future will always be helping one family at a time.
|
|
|
|
 |
Elijah Family Homes |