Hillcrest Transitional Housing: A Proud Option for the Homeless

The homeless walk among us everyday. Very possibly, people that you work with and children that your children go to school with are homeless. For some, though, homelessness does not hold the deep level of shame that it once did. Currently, there are programs in place across the United States that offer the homeless population a hand up, not a hand out. One such transitional housing program in Eastern Jackson County, Missouri is Hillcrest Transitional Housing. Hillcrest Transitional Housing helps move individuals and families from homelessness to self-sufficiency in 90 days with a 95 percent success rate. Hillcrest is a classic example of offering a hand up as opposed to a handout.

Eligibility for transitional housing at Hillcrest is dependent in part on the client's security of a 40-hour workweek. The individual is also expected to secure transportation to and from work. Adherence to Hillcrest Transitional Housing's guidelines and participation in classes such as Life Skills and Budgeting are also requirements of the program. Most importantly, though, is the client's demonstration of a strong motivation to climb from homelessness and acquire self-sufficiency once again.

Hillcrest Transitional Housing provides its participants with a rent-free and utility free apartment for 90 days. Groceries are provided. Usage of food stamps is discouraged. Generally, clients are asked to purchase only two or three staples such as milk, butter and cheese on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. Other necessities such as haircuts, dental work and GED classes are paid for by the program, not the client. In fact, any money that the client does spend is toward recovering from their debt. In weekly budget meetings, the client and volunteer budget counselor agree upon what money, if any, is to be spent during the following week. At the next meeting, the client presents the budget counselor with proof of spending, including receipts.