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Q. What is the Women’s Housing Coalition ?
A. Incorporated in 1979, the WHC is a grassroots, non-profit organization
dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing and support services to
homeless and very low-income women and families in Baltimore City.
Q. Who does the WHC serve and what types of services are provided ?
A. The WHC serves homeless and low-income women with disabilities, and their
children. Some of the services include case management, advocacy and life skills
training. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual, based on
their own situation.
Q. Is this organization the same as the House of Ruth?
A. While the two organizations share similar goals, the House of Ruth is
strictly for battered women and displaced homemakers. “Battered” women make up
only a segment of the WHC clientele.
Q. How does the WHC define success?
A. Success represents any resident who graduates from the program with a higher
level of independence and self-sufficiency than she had upon entering the WHC.
Success is seen as a continuum, not an end. The WHC is proud of its high success
rate, averaging 93% overall.
Q. WHC uses the phrase, “Continuum of Care”—what exactly does that mean?
A. This phrase refers to the provision of appropriate housing and services for
women at various stages, from transitional housing to permanent and/or scattered
site housing, with increased independence at each level. The WHC entry Program
and Flagship, transitional housing program is 2 years, and for some women this
is not enough time to establish total independence, and therefore more long-term
residential services are provided.
Q. What are some of the major roadblocks to success for women in the program?
A.These include physical and mental disabilities, addiction to drugs and alcohol, very low self-esteem, outstanding debt, poor credit and money management, criminal history, and an inability to earn a "living wage."
Q. Why do you only serve women?
A. The WHC was founded in 1979 by a group of women who conducted
research and found that there was a lack of resources for homeless women in
Baltimore City. It became clear that homeless women were less visible to the
community, primarily due to safety issues and because many had children. The WHC
was created to begin addressing the needs for safe housing for women and
children in need.
Q. What should I do when a panhandler approaches me on the street?
A. The best thing to do is to direct that individual to a community service
center (listing is available through shelters and housing programs). Experience
has shown that usually the money given to panhandlers is more often misdirected.
These donations can be made directly to programs that provide food and shelter.
Q. What is the average length of stay for the residents in your program?
A. Approximately three years
Q. How does someone qualify for WHC housing, and who decides if they are accepted into the program?
A. To qualify a woman must have low-income and have a disability (by HUD’s
standards, to include physical, mental or chemical addition). If someone has a
history of substance abuse, she must have at least six months of sobriety
documented by a professional.
The WHC Program Director conducts interviews and performs drug screens as part
of the entry process. She identifies if an applicant is committed to work toward
personal growth.
Q. What types of disabilities do the residents of the program have?
A. These include, Chronic Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, (depression, bi-polar
disorder, schizophrenia), Physical Disabilities, (HIV, hepatitis, chronic
orthopedic problems, lupus, cancer).
Q. How many participants are in the program at any one time?
A. On the average, approximately 68 women and children.
For further information, or to receive WHC materials, please contact the WHC, 410-235-5782.
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