Expanded Rapid Exit Team Increases Support for Project Home Families
Project Home is increasing support for families experiencing homelessness through the addition of two new members to the Rapid Exit Case Management Team.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nate Jones and Ed Hilbrich as Housing Case Managers,” said Program Director Sara Liegl. “Both have extensive experience working with families to build stability and opportunity.”
The Rapid Exit Team works with guest families to help them obtain and maintain stable housing. They create realistic housing action plans and advocate with community agencies and landlords. They also help families increase their economic mobility either through expansion of benefits or employment opportunities. The Team stays involved with a family for six months after moving out of shelter to ensure housing stability.
Ed and Nate are beginning their work by attending “Setting a New Priority: Racial Equity and Poverty Solutions for a Prosperous Minnesota” presented by MinnCAP, as well as the 2022 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless annual conference, “Reflect and Refresh: Deepening Understanding and Community Care.”
Since moving into the Provincial House in March 2021, Liegl and Project Home staff have worked intensively to reduce the number of days a family is in shelter. “We know that homelessness is traumatic, so helping our families find stable, positive housing is our top priority,” says Liegl. Their work is paying off: the average stay in shelter has dropped from 83 days to 66 over the past year.
With the number of shelter-bed nights more than doubling at Project Home at the Provincial House, the Rapid Exit Case Management Team’s workload has increased significantly. Last year, they helped dozens of families find housing.
We recognize and thank our committed staff and the many congregations who make meals, provide supplies, and volunteer at Project Home! We continue to seek groups to prepare a meal for up to 50 guests. We are especially grateful if you can provide the ingredients for the meal. SIGN UP HERE.
