Homeless Expansion Efforts a Success at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is held annually the week before Thanksgiving. Last year Matt Talbot (www.mtko.org) kicked off this special week by announcing a plan to find stable homes for those dealing with chronic homelessness. One year later the results of these efforts are positive and exciting.

A grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development allowed Matt Talbot to provide permanent supportive housing to 12 individuals and 3 families who were previously chronically homeless. Matt Talbot’s Landlord Liaison Program (LLP) has secured housing for 54 individuals to date. Overseen by a Housing Locator, the LLP works with landlords to provide housing to people who may not meet the current rental agreement criteria, and ensures tenants and landlords get support throughout the rental agreement.

“Often people experiencing chronic homelessness are the hardest to reach. Matt Talbot is known for providing a hot meal. But we also go out to the streets, under bridges, and anywhere the homeless are to offer blankets, hygiene products, sleeping bags and non-perishable food in the hopes that we can build trust,” said Susanne Blue, Executive Director. “We’ve seen that when trust is established they will come to us for more help, and we are able to share resources to give them a better and healthier life.”

National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is a time to be thankful, share compassion, and work toward a world where no one experiences hunger and homelessness.