Mission
To maintain an emergency homelessness prevention fund and develop programs that help move the homeless crisis response system in Middlesex County from one managing homelessness to preventing and ending homelessness. The Committee is composed of business and nonprofit volunteers with experience in fundraising, service provision work with at-risk populations, and fund distribution, as well as formerly homeless individuals.Goals
- To maintain a flexible Homelessness Prevention Fund
- To make existing resources widely known among residents, community-based case managers and communities in Middlesex County
- To promote financial literacy and increase understanding of housing law
- To expand after-care management to formerly homeless families and individuals
Activities
The Middlesex County Homelessness Prevention Fund (The Fund) serves households in Middlesex County, Lyme, and Old Lyme that are at risk of homelessness by providing immediate assistance to individuals and families experiencing a temporary financial crisis that could result in an inability to pay rent.
The Fund is not meant to delay inevitable housing loss, but to prevent families from becoming homeless. Therefore, families must have a viable plan to sustain their housing after the one-time assistance is provided. A Review Committee votes on all applications. Approved applications are paid directly to the vendor, within a targeted 48 hours. This process assures that funds are used most judicially. Funding comes from corporations, charitable foundations and many generous individuals.
In addition, committee members speak at community events to raise awareness about the Prevention Fund and issues concerning the prevention of homelessness in Middlesex County.