House of Ruth Transitional Housing Program also helps with security deposits and rent payments

The House of Ruth, headquartered on Newton Street in New Orleans, is a scattered-site apartment program which has been providing crisis services to the homeless, and to families who may be judged to be in imminent danger of becoming homeless, since 1987.  It covers the parishes of Orleans and Jefferson.  Through the provision of transitional housing and other services, the organization aims to enable homeless families and those experiencing crisis to regain independence – mainly by addressing housing and employment needs.

The group boasts an impressive success rate: over eighty-five per cent of people using the organization’s programs since its inception have obtained employment, and over seventy-five per cent have either maintained or dramatically improved their housing conditions by program’s end.

The House of Ruth maintains a Job Bank, providing information to those who are seeking employment.  The have a number of case management workers in-house, who will work directly with families and individuals to discuss how they can make best use of the programs on offer.  Their budgetary assistance and advice service helps families to manage debt and survival on limited incomes.  They operate an adult education support program which offers basic Adult Literacy Training, and support for those undertaking General Education Development tests (GED).  They also have some financial supports in place to directly assist those in danger of becoming homeless, such as providing housing deposits, helping with rent, and some basic utility assistance.

Through their Adopt-a-Family program, the organization assists families at holiday-times; under this scheme, local businesses donate food and supplies to clients of the House of Ruth (or clients referred from other agencies) to help them to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.  They also operate a Toy Drive at Christmas, sourcing donations of gifts for the children of low-income families.

Some of the factors which House of Ruth will take into consideration when deciding whether or not to take on a client include: whether or not homelessness is present (or imminent); whether or not eviction notices have been served; the likelihood that the family’s economic situation will stabilize in the near future; whether or not there has been a recent loss of income; the client’s willingness to find and hold new employment; and whether or not there are children in the family, particularly those of school-going age or younger.

The House of Ruth receives funding from United Way, local City Funds, and also relies on private donations.

To learn how you can be a part of that 85% success rate, call 504-366-3921.