As a provider since 1999, of transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families (Lucas Place) and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families with disabilities (New Start), ECHO Housing Corporation (EHC) has determined through research and first hand experience, that there is a real need in our community of Evansville, Indiana for housing for homeless veterans with disabilities.
According to the Evansville and Vanderburgh County’s Homeless Data, “On average there are at least 400 individuals in shelters or transitional housing on any given night.” Studies have shown that at least one-third of these homeless individuals are veterans and consist mostly of “single unaffiliated males.” According to the 2000 census, Vanderburgh County has the highest percent of homeless persons per capita of any other Indiana county. With one of every three homeless individuals being a veteran and with absolutely no supportive housing dealing with veterans in Evansville, EHC feel that there was a real need in this community for this type of housing.
EHC has the support of both the Mayor of Evansville and our Representative in Congress.
Lucas Place II would be located across the street from our existing transitional housing project in the Jacobsville area which is a focus neighborhood as identified by the City of Evansville. It has been designated a “Redevelopment Area” by the City. It is also part of Census tract #20 which is a “qualified census tract” according to HUD definition, indicating that it is a “hard to develop” area of the community.
Similarly, the median housing values in this area are far below those of the city. 36% of all residents in this area and 52% of children are below the poverty level. This project would not only be a solution to the homeless veteran issues in Evansville, but the construction would greatly enhance the neighborhood as it would be built on vacant lots and will be a state of the art building with an adjacent community outdoor area.
EHC owns 3 vacant lots directly across from our home office which is located in Lucas Place. We intend to purchase an additional adjacent lot and construct a 3 story facility consisting of 26 one bedroom apartments to house homeless veterans with disablities. Each housing unit will be a self-contained apartment in an attempt to promote independent living as much as possible.
On site amenties would include a security system, swipe card entry system, laundry facilities, and outside community area/park to encourage socialization. The facility would contain a commons area available to all residents and a community room for meetings, educational seminars, ancillary service providers and computers with wireless access to foster assistance for the training and employment application process for the residents.
There will be an on site case manager trained in veteran needs to provide the voluntary supportive services from the menu of services that would be designed with the residents particular needs in mind. EHC has already surveyed some of our target population and would have a resident committee to help implement the service menu. Lucas Place II would be a supportive environment where veterans would learn the methods to maintain an independent and self-sufficient lifestyle throughout their future.
EHC has memorandum of understandings with every emergency shelter and homeless service provider in the city of Evansville including the Vet Center and the VA Medical Center in Marion, Ill. We propose to include the Lucas Place II Case Manager(s) in our monthly meeting of agencies called the “Homeless Service Council”, which provides direct housing and other services for the homeless and low-income families. Approximately 25 area agency representatives attend this meeting each month, including Executive Directors, Program Directors, Family Advocates, and Social Workers from homeless and domestic violence shelters, transitional housing providers, and other housing agencies, including the VA association. The meeting provides an opportunity for these agencies to share information and new service techniques in order to avoid inappropriate referrals or duplication of services and to discuss common problems and suggest possible solution strategies.
The Outreach and referral plan will be a continuation of ECHO’s current procedure that uses all these agencies, organizations, and resources mentioned previously as referral sources. In addition, EHC staff is knowledgeable of area providers, their eligibility and intake requirements and can give clients referrals to appropiate providers based upon their particular situation and needs.
WAYS TO HELP:
Integra Bank
You can donate at any Integra Bank in Evansville Indiana just by mentioning Lucas Place II and ECHO Housing Corporation. Click here for bank locations.
Adopt an apartment
For $2,000 you can help furnish an individual apartment and it will be dedicated to you with a plaque
Contributions
All contributions are tax deductible
You can also learn more by viewing our powerpoint presentation.