Boise NHS - Homeward Bound

Homeward Bound Family Needs:

-Two twin size matresses

Contact Homeward Bound at 343-4065 if you can help!

NHS' Homeward Bound program provides homeless and at-risk families with clean, comfortable housing and helps them achieve self-sufficiency by providing extensive social services and referrals to community resources.

This transitional/supportive housing is a model comprehensive program for homeless, at-risk, and new American families holding Section 8 vouchers. Besides a home, Homeward Bound families are offered a full range of social services including career development, education, case management, leadership development, and workshops on budgeting, home maintenance, nutrition, and parenting. The program uses scattered-site housing, which removes the stigma of living in a shelter and allows families to become part of a neighborhood and the community.

Homeward Bound has served hundreds of families since its inception in 1987. Each year over 80 percent of the families have good jobs, are off public assistance, and have moved into permanent housing upon exit from the program. Several families have even been able to achieve homeownership.

Requirements for Referral:
•	Homeless or at-risk family with children
•	Priority is given to Section 8 certificate or voucher holder
•	Prognosis and motivation to achieve self-sufficiency
•	Two good landlord references or equivalent
•	Ability to pay rent

Services Offered:
•	Single-family dwelling or apartments in scattered site locations
•	Case management
•	Social services including: educational and vocational counseling, leadership development, workshops and support groups
•	Referrals for furniture and household needs
•	Special programs such as Shop with a Cop and holiday sponsorships

Contact info
Jeanne Keir, M.S.W., 208-343-4065, jkeir@nhsid.org

Application

Send to:
Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 8223
Boise, Idaho 83707

You Can Help!
Homeward Bound fills a need for homeless and at-risk families that no other program in the valley is able to provide. The needs of the 40 families the program serves are sometimes overwhelming. Many have no car, little clothing, minimal skills, or a supportive network. The challenge for Homeward Bound is to encourage independence and self-sufficiency. To this end, the families, many transitioning from shelters, are given two years to stabilize the family unit, receive job training and additional assistance necessary to enable them to become self-reliant.

The program needs gift cards from local department stores and grocery stores for clothes, toiletries, and food. Start up items such as small appliances, dishes, furniture, bedding, and household furnishings in good condition are also appreciated. We also accept money for car repair loans, and extra curricular and school registration activities for the children. During the holiday season Homeward Bound has an adopt-a-family program to assist families during that challenging time of year.