Thank you everyone for joining us this past January at the Medical Home Meeting.  Just a reminder that if a word is underlined or blue, it means you can click on it and it will open up a file or bring you to another link!  Typically I have been trying to attach any handouts that have been brought to the meeting by the speaker.  On January 10, 2017 we had the pleasure of having John Badger speak at the Medical Home Group Meeting.  John Badger is a housing specialist at HAP Housing.  John is very passionate in assisting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  As a group we’ve decided that we would collect different items such as socks, water, blankets, gloves, and sleeping bags. We will give collected items to John, as he still does community outreach on his personal time to assist the homeless population in surrounding areas.

John explained the process when a person is attempting to obtain assistance from HAP Housing.  He reported that the first step is a pre-assessment appointment.  During the pre-assessment meeting, the person needs to bring in several different documents such as birth certificates, identification, current lease, social security card, income verifications, and any letters supporting changes to income or other factors such as medical.  After the pre-assessment meeting, the family will be contacted by a counselor to discuss further options.  Typically prior to meeting with a counselor, there is a mandatory workshop that discusses budgeting and other housing issues. John discussed the differences between a 14 day breach of payment and a 30 day breach of a lease.  HAP needs more than just the 14 day letter; they need a 30 day notice and in the process of an eviction.  Some reasons for assistance through HAP would be: significant and ongoing loss of income, significant other leaving home or being laid off, theft (police report needed), and/or circumstances that impeded the persons ability to work.

John encouraged people to visit the HAP website http://www.haphousing.org .  He also provide us with this hap-housing-handout.  He shared us with the name of the housing discrimination officer, John Fisher, if someone is struggling w/ issues of discrimination in their housing search or eviction process.  John brought some amazing folders packed with information. He stated most of the information is available via the HAP website.  However, here is some of the information that was in the  folder and easy to scan: housingapplications and othertools .

We look forward to seeing everyone during the next meeting and please feel free to bring items such as socks, water, blankets, gloves, and sleeping bags and we will make sure to get it to John Badger!  Again, thank you everyone for your passion around this issue that is a struggle for so many people in our community.