11/1/00 Free Press Article

By some accounts, more than 750,000 Americans are homeless on any given night, and up to 2 million people experience homelessness in the course of a year.

In Mankato, homelessness is part of some people's everyday reality. Since 1985, Partners for Affordable Housing has established a successful program to provide inexpensive housing and temporary shelter to those in need.

As one of many agencies supported by Greater Mankato Area United Way, PAH provides short and long term shelter through its programs and facilities: Welcome Inn, Welcome Home, and Liberty Homes and Apartments.

The Welcome Inn, 419 S. Broad St., has provided emergency and short-term transitional housing (up to 30 days) for homeless individuals and families since 1985. Residents have access to a social worker, plus the security of a facility staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It's really a safe, comfortable place for people to be and get back on their feet," said Julie Caraway, PAH program director.

On a recent night, there were eight men, three women and two children in the Welcome Inn, including one family. Seven were employed.

Next door to the Welcome Inn is the Welcome Inn Annex. A transitional-living center reserved for single men.

"We called every day until a room was available," said one resident. "They're great. They were very nice and friendly."

The Welcome Inn has no curfew for residents, who may come and go as they please. All have keys to their own rooms.

"I work late at night and come back early in the morning," said on resident. "Other shelters kick you out. What if you had to be somewhere? What would you do with the kids? The Welcome Inn even offered to watch the kids. They were very helpful."

Welcome home offers long-term transitional housing (up to two years) for families, men and women in six houses the PAH maintains. At the moment, there are five families - seven women, six men and 17 children - in the program.

During an average year, Welcome Home serves 30-35 people -one-third adults and two-thirds children. Applicants must demonstrate ability to pay a fee(rent), which is well below fair-market prices so they can save money to eventually buy their own homes. For a three bedroom house, Welcome Home residents pay $180/month rent, plus utilities, which average to about $400/month.

Jen Fuller, a past client of Welcome Home, heard about the program from a friend.

"Without that program, I would have been stuck in a really unhealthy relationship for me and my child, and I don't know what I would have done without it, "Fuller said, "I really needed to get our, and they were there, and it was amazing."

PAH not only provides affordable homes but offers advice and information on finding a job, where to go for a good meal and clothing, and on purchasing a home. The staff - which includes Executive Director Keith Luebke, Program Director Caraway, Program Assistant Sharon Frahm and volunteer Coordinator Tammy Mason - works daily with the Salvation Army and other agencies of United Way, referring people to various community and social agencies.

"We all need each other to make the whole thing work," Caraway said. " The longer you work with someone, the better relationship you have with them (and) the more successful they will be. When they succeed, they did all the hard work. We were just there listening and giving them the referral."

"There's a lot of people that may not know about the resources in Mankato, and PAH directs you to all the different resource," said Fuller, who is employed as a social worker. "I own my own home now, but I couldn't have done it without the Welcome Home program."

Another PAH program, Liberty Homes and Apartments, provides permanent and affordable housing for low-income individuals, families and those with special needs. Currently, 2 individuals and one family are living in Liberty Homes' three apartment buildings and one house.

Liberty Homes started as a community-based effort to assist persons with various mental-health issues. For instance, some people would go to the Welcome Inn and then be sent to a treatment center, which would place them in an apartment by themselves, they would begin to feel isolated and stop taking their medication, and end up back at the Welcome Inn.

"God didn't make us to be by ourselves," Caraway said. "Being homeless can be very isolating and lonely." Liberty Homes places individuals together by matching roommates. That way, they feel less alone, while always having a "buddy" looking after them.

"We tried to nip the problem before it got too serious," Caraway noted. Residents of Liberty Homes' only house, which accommodates a larger family, are welcome to live there as long as necessary while searching for a home to buy. They are typically asked to pay a higher program fee, but it is still well below fair-market rents.

In addition to United Way support, PAH also received donations, program fees and state grants for its emergency-shelter and transitional-housing programs.

"We couldn't do what we do without United Way," Caraway said. "They help us do great things."

PAH also depends upon many volunteers for programming, support services and property maintenance. Volunteers are always needed to answer phones, visit residents, do yard work and help paint the agency's many properties.

For program and volunteer information about PAH, call the Welcome Inn, (507) 387-4061.



		Partners for Affordable Housing A United Way Agency Sponsored by the Free Press and MSU-Mankato Mass Communications Department By Loni Spiczka
	By some accounts, more than 750,000 Americans are homeless on any given night, and up to 2 million people experience homelessness in the course of a year. In Mankato, homelessness is part of some people's everyday reality. Since 1985, Partners for Affordable Housing has established a successful program to provide inexpensive housing and temporary shelter to those in need. As one of many agencies supported by Greater Mankato Area United Way, PAH provides short and long term shelter through its programs and facilities: Welcome Inn, Welcome Home, and Liberty Homes and Apartments. The Welcome Inn, 419 S. Broad St., has provided emergency and short-term transitional housing (up to 30 days) for homeless individuals and families since 1985. Residents have access to a social worker, plus the security of a facility staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "It's really a safe, comfortable place for people to be and get back on their feet," said Julie Caraway, PAH program director. On a recent night, there were eight men, three women and two children in the Welcome Inn, including one family. Seven were employed. Next door to the Welcome Inn is the Welcome Inn Annex. A transitional-living center reserved for single men. "We called every day until a room was available," said one resident. "They're great. They were very nice and friendly." The Welcome Inn has no curfew for residents, who may come and go as they please. All have keys to their own rooms. "I work late at night and come back early in the morning," said on resident. "Other shelters kick you out. What if you had to be somewhere? What would you do with the kids? The Welcome Inn even offered to watch the kids. They were very helpful." Welcome home offers long-term transitional housing (up to two years) for families, men and women in six houses the PAH maintains. At the moment, there are five families - seven women, six men and 17 children - in the program. During an average year, Welcome Home serves 30-35 people -one-third adults and two-thirds children. Applicants must demonstrate ability to pay a fee(rent), which is well below fair-market prices so they can save money to eventually buy their own homes. For a three bedroom house, Welcome Home residents pay $180/month rent, plus utilities, which average to about $400/month. Jen Fuller, a past client of Welcome Home, heard about the program from a friend. "Without that program, I would have been stuck in a really unhealthy relationship for me and my child, and I don't know what I would have done without it, "Fuller said, "I really needed to get our, and they were there, and it was amazing." PAH not only provides affordable homes but offers advice and information on finding a job, where to go for a good meal and clothing, and on purchasing a home. The staff - which includes Executive Director Keith Luebke, Program Director Caraway, Program Assistant Sharon Frahm and volunteer Coordinator Tammy Mason - works daily with the Salvation Army and other agencies of United Way, referring people to various community and social agencies. "We all need each other to make the whole thing work," Caraway said. " The longer you work with someone, the better relationship you have with them (and) the more successful they will be. When they succeed, they did all the hard work. We were just there listening and giving them the referral." "There's a lot of people that may not know about the resources in Mankato, and PAH directs you to all the different resource," said Fuller, who is employed as a social worker. "I own my own home now, but I couldn't have done it without the Welcome Home program." Another PAH program, Liberty Homes and Apartments, provides permanent and affordable housing for low-income individuals, families and those with special needs. Currently, 2 individuals and one family are living in Liberty Homes' three apartment buildings and one house. Liberty Homes started as a community-based effort to assist persons with various mental-health issues. For instance, some people would go to the Welcome Inn and then be sent to a treatment center, which would place them in an apartment by themselves, they would begin to feel isolated and stop taking their medication, and end up back at the Welcome Inn. "God didn't make us to be by ourselves," Caraway said. "Being homeless can be very isolating and lonely." Liberty Homes places individuals together by matching roommates. That way, they feel less alone, while always having a "buddy" looking after them. "We tried to nip the problem before it got too serious," Caraway noted. Residents of Liberty Homes' only house, which accommodates a larger family, are welcome to live there as long as necessary while searching for a home to buy. They are typically asked to pay a higher program fee, but it is still well below fair-market rents. In addition to United Way support, PAH also received donations, program fees and state grants for its emergency-shelter and transitional-housing programs. "We couldn't do what we do without United Way," Caraway said. "They help us do great things." PAH also depends upon many volunteers for programming, support services and property maintenance. Volunteers are always needed to answer phones, visit residents, do yard work and help paint the agency's many properties. For program and volunteer information about PAH, call the Welcome Inn, (507) 387-4061.