Matt Talbot Provides Housing for Chronically Homeless

Matt Talbot’s (mtko.org) new program called First HOPE (Housing Opportunities & Prevention Efforts) is underway. This project provides permanent supportive housing for 12 chronically homeless individuals and 3 families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development made funds available in early December 2016 and to date four previously homeless individuals have been assisted through this program and now have a warm place to call home.

“First HOPE is an exciting part of our efforts to defeat homelessness, and we are grateful to have received the funding from HUD,” said Susanne Blue, Executive Director. “We are also very thankful to the landlords that have worked with our case managers and agreed to rent to this very vulnerable and underserved population.”

Matt Talbot’s Landlord Liaison Project (LLP) forms partnerships between landlords, tenants, and agencies to find housing for the homeless in Lincoln. This type of initiative has been successful in other parts of the country and is considered a best practice for ending homelessness. The LLP includes a contingency fund that serves as financial insurance for participating landlords and covers expenses such as rental & utility deposit, moving expenses, cleaning, and possible damages to the unit.

“We appreciate the compassion of the participating landlords and their willingness to take a chance on these clients,” said Susanne Blue. “Together we can make a real difference in the lives of the chronically homeless.”
Visit mtko.org to learn more about First HOPE and the LLP.