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For many Shelter of Flint clients, reaching their goals of permanent housing, long-term employment, and personal/family strength can be accomplished within the thirty-day emergency shelter program and maintained through Outreach home visitations. However, for some, life and personal circumstances make establishing their own home an extremely difficult task. They may need assistance developing critical life skills, maintaining employment or educational opportunities, or even recognizing their own self-worth and dignity. Shelter of Flint's "Transitional Housing" (TH) program allows these clients to work on such goals over a long-term stay. Capable of providing up to twenty clients with six months of shelter, the "Semi-Independent" TH component offers a high-level of direct service within a structured living environment. Clients attend daily personal development workshops on a variety of important topics, including life and parenting skills, housing exploration, conflict resolution and money management. In addition, clients take part in long-term therapeutic counseling and employability development. Under the agency's "Independent" TH program, Shelter of Flint leases and/or purchases properties, then makes them available to clients through low cost housing contracts. This affords clients a significant level of independence while insuring that their housing and life stabilization needs are effectively met. Providing stays of up to eighteen months, this program currently includes a six-unit apartment building and two single family dwellings. Clients continue to attend program meetings and group/individual therapies as needed. The increasingly independent living environment of the dual TH components, coupled with a comprehensive array of support services, provides residents with quality tools for success as they continue working toward permanent stability.
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