New Diversion Program Launched to Help End Homelessness in Lincoln

This spring, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (mtko.org) started a new community-wide prevention program called the Homeless Diversion Program. Diversion is a homeless prevention process that empowers persons facing imminent homelessness to identify safe and appropriate housing options and assist them in avoiding a shelter stay.

The target population for this program are individuals and families who are on the edge of becoming homeless but are not chronically homeless as defined by federal rules. Families and individuals are eligible for diversion services if they are homeless or believe they will be homeless in the next 72 hours; are currently in a shelter, on the streets or have been out of their home for seven days or less; and if they have been homeless for less than ten nights in the previous 12 months. Clients will primarily present through referrals from “Public Door” agencies which include CEDARS Youth Services, The HUB Central Access Point for Young Adults, Matt Talbot, CenterPointe and People’s City Mission.

According to the 2018 Point in Time Count, homelessness in Lincoln has decreased by half in the last five years with a significant drop of 25% in the past year. The Homeless Diversion Program will further our community’s efforts in tackling this complex issue and get us closer to the ultimate goal of ending homelessness in Lincoln. Learn more at mtko.org.