Our Mission is to seek an end to homelessness in Hancock County by transitioning homeless women and their children into permanent housing and by assisting low-income people in securing affordable housing.
HOPE HOUSE HISTORY
1990 Hope House opened its doors on November 19, 1990 after only six months of planning. Sr. Karen Elliott was instrumental in convening a local committee to develop the transitional shelter serving homeless women and homeless women with children. 10 rooms, 18 month stay. Staff: Executive director, case manager, secretary, part-time volunteer coordinator and monitors. Served to date March 2008: 362 women and 432 children
1994 Hope House received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in 1994. Had a budget of $144,967 with four full-time staff and eight part-time monitors.
1995 To meet the increased demand for transitional housing, first scattered site Hardin House was leased from the YMCA and opened May 1, 1995. Hope House became a full member agency of the United Way of Hancock County. Budget was $154,419.
1996 Grant awarded for an Americorps Member to set up Housing Resource Center HRC to help low-income people find safe, decent and affordable housing. Served 345 people in its first year. Accepted as Indiana University – Center on Philanthropy’s project – Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector. Plan to make Americorps Member a full-time staff member. Sammie created Hancock County Housing Consortium. Budget was $164,848.
1997 Second scattered site finished – Kelly’s House “leased” from Camp Fire. Over 800 people received housing assistance this year through the HRC. Retirement program for full-time staff added. Started Porch Cookie Parties to keep in contact with past residents. Income was $191,488.
1998 Business as usual but more of it. Served 104 homeless women and children in the three shelters. Income was $222,121. Jennifer Alt resigned as case manager.
1999 Jennifer welcomed back to Hope House as the new Program Director/Child Advocate. New office constructed in the basement. Income was $249,188.
2000 The three houses were going strong and 784 served through Housing Resource Center. Income was $238,218.
2002 Americorps Member, Barb Faber, joined the staff at the Housing Office located on West Sandusky rear. Served 1,216 unduplicated men, women and children with housing search assistance.
2003 Barb Faber hired full-time In Housing Office and Christy Nusser hired as Housing Assistant. 1,735 unduplicated men, women and children served.
2004 Independence Program started serving homeless families and transitional youth up to 24 months of rental assistance with case management. Clients to pay 25% of net income for program fees. 1,326 unduplicated served.
2005 Kelly Sterling hired as Assistant Director. Two case managers hired to provide employment services to all clients. 1,040 unduplicated served.
2006 The Housing Office moved into The Family Center after outgrowing the office on West Sandusky Rear. With state funding, the Direct Housing program was started providing a maximum of six months rental assistance to single men and women. Hope House was under contract with the Department of Job & Family Services to provide four months of rental assistance to families qualifying for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Prevention, Retention and Contingency. TANF PRC. 994 unduplicated served.
2007 In May, added family groups to the Direct Housing program with state approval.
1,675 unduplicated served out of Housing Office.
2008 Currently running Hope House shelter program serving homeless women and homeless women with children; Independence Program serving homeless families and transitional youth (aged 18 – 24); Housing Office providing housing search assistance and community referrals to low-income people in Hancock County and Freedom Program serving homeless families with up to six months of rental assistance. All clients must be at or below 35% of the Area Median Income, AMI. (Due to lack of state grant renewed, Direct Housing program ceased. Due to TANF PRC cuts, the contract to provide 4 months of rental assistance to those clients was not renewed.)
Trustee Hope House Board
Job Description
Accountable to: Full board
Function: Governs the affairs of Hope House
Responsibilities:
Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to date on the emerging issues and promote the work of the organization in Findlay/Hancock County.
Adopt rules, regulations and by-laws consistent with purpose of Hope House and its articles of incorporation, by-laws, policies and procedures.
Authorize the establishment of committees and approve appointments made by the president.
Cause an annual audit of financial books and records of the corporation.
Review and approve compensation of the executive director necessary for successful operation of the corporation.
Develop a strategic plan and set policies governing the implementation of policies and program to achieve the strategic plan.
Approve the budget of Hope House and help develop the financial base to support the budget.
Participate in an annual board evaluation.
Provide personal financial support of Hope House.
Regularly attend board of trustee meetings and understand that if three consecutive, board meetings are missed, the trustee's seat may be considered vacant.
Resign from the board should circumstances change so the commitment to the board cannot be met.