The Shepherd’s Shelter (TSSI) Wish List
As TSSI works to meet the immediate needs of homeless and low-income families and individuals of Bullitt County, they need your support. Families seeking assistance are facing personal or financial loss (i.e. divorce, illness, death, disabilities, domestic violence, job loss, mental health issues, lack of access to affordable housing, lack of strength in life skills). It is TSSI’s goal to provide housing and supportive services to assist these families in reaching self-sufficiency.
All persons receiving assistance will receive case management, to include referral to mainstream benefits and resources and will be required to attend budget counseling, family literacy training and mental health and/or family counseling as needed. Clients will be required to complete their high school education and will be assisted in seeking employment. Persons receiving housing assistance will be required to rent units that are affordable to their income and all units will be inspected to meet housing quality standards.
The TSSI wish list below represents the basic needs of our neighbors, in crisis. This assistance is critical to preventing and ending homelessness in Bullitt County.
(1) $135.00 Monthly Pledge – Client Eviction Assistance – Many families have waited in fear until they are evicted. Those who have income can regain self-sufficiency through housing assistance and case management. The average cost of getting a family that is episodically homeless re-housed, following eviction, is $1600.00 ($650.00 Security Deposit, $650.00 One Month Rent, $250.00 Heating Deposit, $50.00 Water Deposit). Your pledged donation of $135.00 per month will provide the case management and rental assistance necessary for one family to regain self-sufficiency.
(2) $100.00 Monthly Pledge – Client Prevention Assistance – Many families have a history of self-sufficiency and have experienced a life event that has prevented them from meeting their financial obligations. These families have the life skills and financial ability to remain housed with a hand up. The average request from a family facing eviction is two months’ rent, approximately $1200.00. Your pledged donation of $100.00 per month could keep this family housed and allow TSSI to case manage them on ways to remain self-sufficient.
(3) $60.00 Monthly Pledge – Client Emergency/Transitional Shelter – Our most critical request is for emergency/transitional housing. These families are facing a crisis and do not have the life skills and/or financial resources to survive without case management and rental assistance. These families require intense case management and housing counseling. The average monthly cost of an emergency shelter unit for one family is $700.00 per month. Your pledged donation of $60.00 per month would provide emergency shelter for one family for one month.
(4) $30.00 Monthly Pledge – Client Household Furnishings Assistance – All families assisted through our emergency/transitional housing program are provided household furnishing (i.e. furniture, appliances, dishes, linens) when they exit the shelter. TSSI accepts donation of these items and pays approximately $150.00 per month for storage. Your pledged donation of $30.00 per month would provide for storage space for the shelter for one year.
(5) Monthly Pledge of Any Amount – Client Case Management – All persons receiving TSSI assistance are required to receive one hour per month of case management to assist them in reaching self-sufficiency, preventing a cycle of homelessness. This assistance is critical to ending and preventing homelessness. While TSSI is funded by KHC/HUD grant monies, they do not cover the total costs of operating an office and staff. TSSI’s budget for items (i.e. office rent, insurance, office supplies and equipment, office utilities) not covered by grants is $50,000. Your pledged monthly donation of any amount would allow us to continue providing the services necessary to assist clients in gaining and/or regaining self-sufficiency.
