Project Homeline
The Ohio State Office of the U.S. Department of HUD selected Project Homeline as a local best practices winner, calling the program, "an innovative and new way to address an old problem."
Through Project Homeline, LCCH provides a " one stop shop" for housing resources, homelessness prevention services, landlord and tenant assistance, and housing referral services to over 1,000 households each year.
Project Homeline is Just a Click Away!
Project Homeline is designed to be an innovative housing resource "one-stop-shop" and homelessness prevention program. Project Homeline provides information about a range of housing options and educational opportunities to the Licking County community at large, with special focus on lower income ( at 35% or below the area median income) families and individuals at risk for homelessness. Project Homeline offers a broad listing of local rental units in all price ranges, as well as low income and assisted living rental housing available throughout the county. This listing of over 7,500 units is available via this website by clicking "apartment database" at left of your screen. Project Homeline also offers a budgeting program for clients receiving financial assistance on how to set up a spending plan, how to use a checking account and how to interpret a credit history.
"An outstanding aspect of this program is its focus on the prevention of homelessness. We at Boeing recognize that homelessness is not a problem of the individual, but that of the entire community. Project Homeline offers a long term solution through its emphasis on prevention through education."
~Anthony Panella
The Boeing Company
Who Should Call?
Families and individuals at risk for utility disconnection.
Families and individuals at risk for homelessness due to possible eviction or foreclosure.
Anyone needing information about available rental housing in Licking County.
Anyone needing help planning a housing search.
Anyone needing to find more affordable housing.
Landlords with properties to rent.
"Project Homeline is a viable resource for the clients that we refer involving homelessness issues, because it provides information about available, affordable housing that may meet their needs. It provides the cost of housing and the requirements necessary to obtain the housing, as well as budgeting (assistance) to make sure that the housing is affordable within their means, and that it meets their specific criteria for housing."
~ John Fisher, Associate Director
Licking County Dept. of Job and Family Services
Funding For Project Homeline Is Provided By:
The Boeing Company City Of Newark
Licking County Commissioners
Ohio Housing Trust Fund
Ohio Department Of Development
Local Churches
United Way Of Licking County
And Donors Like You!
Transitional Housing
"Needless to say, the entire staff at LCCH has been a blessing for me and the kids. However, in working with you as my Coordinator these past months, I have grown to respect your hard work and commitment to us as your clients. You are a kind, warm, and caring person and you have touched our lives in such a way that has enabled us to become a family again."
~ Note from a resident to an LCCH Coordinator
Unlike emergency shelter, transitional housing is temporary housing for people seeking to return to permanent housing. LCCH operates thirty eight units of transitional housing for homeless families and individuals in Licking County serving nearly 100 households every year, including more than 100 homeless children every year. Over 70% of those transitional housing residents are able to get back on track and secure permanent housing. More than 80% are able to maintain their new housing and reduce their dependence on public assistance.
What is Transitional Housing?
Transitional Housing is temporary housing for people seeking to return to permanent housing. LCCH Human Services Coordinators work closely with residents to provide guidance and to link individuals with supportive services. Residents can stay up to 24 months as long as the resident continues to move forward with his/her Individual Service Plan and does not violate the Resident Contract. The ultimate goal is to address the issues that led to homelessness. Six months of follow-up services are offered when residents leave for permanent housing to insure that they do not become homeless again.
LCCH currently has two, three, and four bedroom apartments for families. There are one bedroom and efficiency apartments for single adults and couples without children. All units are completely furnished and located in Newark.
Who Does the Transitional Housing Program Serve ?
The program serves families, couples, and single adults who are:
Living in a car, on the street, or in a place not meant for human habitation, or
Staying in a shelter, or
Staying in a motel, or
Leaving an institution within 30 days and having no housing resources
Are within seven days of a court ordered eviction with no other resources.
How Do You Apply?
Applicants can call (740) 345-1970 or toll free at 1-877-421-LCCH (5224) or stop by our office at 23 S. Park Place, Suite 200 in downtown Newark to fill out an application. (Note: The office closes for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. daily.)
What Happens Next?
The applicant is placed on a waiting list if s/he meets the above criteria. The applicant must call or visit LCCH every seven days to stay on the list. If seven days pass with no contact the applicant may be removed from the list. Applicants will receive a call from a Human Services Coordinator to do a pre-intake shortly after going on the waiting list. The purpose of the pre-intake appointment is to make sure that the applicant qualifies to remain on the waiting list. Failure to attend the pre-intake appointment will cause the applicant to be removed from the list.
An intake appointment is scheduled as soon as an apartment is available. The appointment can take place at our offices or at another site. The appointment takes approximately 1-2 hours. A drug screen and background check are required. Applicants will not be denied services for a positive drug screen if they admit to use before the screen and agree to seek treatment. After the intake appointment, the application must be reviewed and information verified. Our goal is to process applications as quickly as possible. LCCH is not an emergency shelter and cannot accommodate applicants on the same day.
Funding For Transitional Housing Is Provided By:
U.S. Dept. Of HUD
Ohio Department Of Development
City Of Newark
Licking County Commissioners
United Way Of Licking County
And Donors Like You!
Positive Balance
Buying back tomorrow...one debt at a time!
Positive Balance is a comprehensive financial literacy and financial empowerment program launched by the Licking County Coalition for Housing in 2005. Using highly trained AmeriCorps members, Positive Balance works to overcome the financial challenges facing Ohio.
Financial coaches work with individuals and families to develop custom plans to improve their financial stability and "grow" personal assets. These financial coaches have the opportunity to educate hundreds of their neighbors on spending and saving wisely, improving personal credit, and developing confidence in money management. All Positive Balance services are provided free of charge.
Positive Balance wants to accomplish the following:
Decrease the number of home foreclosures.
Decrease the number of bankruptcies.
Decrease usage of payday loans
Increase the personal savings rate.
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
Postive Balance members are trained and certified by the IRS to prepare personal income tax returns. We provide this service free to all during tax season. In 2009, we helped over 450 families.
Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB)
OBB screens individuals for eligibility for a host of public benefits such as Food Stamps, Medicare, heating assistance. Screening sessions are confidential and great way to apply for benefits.
Coming Home
Coming Home, through a partnership with Freddie Mac and Park National Bank, helps veterans and active duty and reserve military to take that first step toward home ownership.
Foreclosure Prevention
Facing home foreclosure? A Positive Balance financial coach can assess your situation and provide a plan to make the best of a potentially devastating situation.
Personal Finance Classes
These classes will provide the essential skills and concepts for clients to competently manage their personal finances. Our classes cover a wide array of subjects; needs vs. wants, budgeting, spending, checking accounts, credit, debt management, home ownership, saving, investing, taxes, etc.
Financial Coaching
The coach will walk through, step-by-step with individuals and couples, the processes of budgeting, bill paying, saving, and debt reduction.
Personal Finance workshops
Workshops offer the opportunity to get some hands on experience, exercising the new skills our consumers learn in class
How Do I Get Involved?
To find out how to volunteer, contribute, or if you would like more information, please call the Licking County Coalition for Housing at (740) 345-1970 or toll free at 1-877-421-LCCH (5224).
Individual Development Account (IDA)
Double or triple the money you save. Think it is too good to be true? Think Again! Participants in this program can use their savings and match money for the purpose of:
Buying a Home Match Rate: $2 - $1
Use your IDA for the down payment and closing costs on a home.
How Does the Program Work?
Complete application materials and interview with IDA staff.
Open your savings account, called an Individual Development Account or "IDA" at First Federal Savings and Loan of Newark.
Make regular deposits every month into your IDA account.
For every $1 you deposit up to $1000, the Licking County Program will match it 2-1.
Attend a series of workshops on financial education and homebuyer education.
Meet regularly with IDA staff to assess your progress towards achieving your goals.
Meet your savings goal by purchasing a home. Your IDA funds will be available to help defray those costs. It’s that simple!
Who is Eligible to Apply for the IDA Program?
You must be a Licking county resident.
You must be currently employed either part or full time, and
Your income, 30 days prior to application, must not exceed the following program guidelines:
Household Size
Monthly Income
1
$1,702
2
$2,282
3
$2,862
4
$3,442
5
$4,022
6
$4,602
Don't be discouraged by credit problems; we will work with you to strengthen and repair credit.
For more information, please call (740) 345-1970. You may also call toll-free at 1-877-421-5224.
Funding For IDA Is Provided By:
City of Newark
Licking County Department of Job & Family Services
Ohio CDC Association
Ohio Housing Trust Fund
World Financial Network National Bank
To make a donation....
It's easy to make a donation to the Coalition. Checks should be mailed to: Licking County Coalition for Housing
P.O. Box 613
23 South Park Place, Suite 200
Newark, OH 43058-0613
Credit Card donations click below for the form:
Donate Now Online
Or ask about our endowment fund. We will be happy to share more information about the good work we're doing.
If you are able to donate materials, the Coalition staff and volunteers will be happy to make arrangements to pick up items at your convenience. Receipts are issued for all donations.
