HOUSING
Housing provides an anchor to build on.
Our housing-first program model prevents homelessness among young adults from foster care by offering housing at Unity Care residential homes to current and former foster youth ages 16-21, and apartment leases to current and former foster youth ages 18-24. Unity Care covers 100% of clients’ housing costs.
While receiving housing through Unity Care, clients are expected to become employed and build savings, enabling them to transition to permanent housing after leaving Unity Care. Most of our clients also attend post-secondary school while they work.
Unity Care Residential Homes
Unity Care owns five housing sites available only to clients ages 18-21. Site-based housing is available in Oakland, Rocklin, San Francisco, San Jose, and South San Francisco, offering round-the-clock staff supervision to ensure that all clients are safe and working towards their goals.
In these settings, residents can build positive and respectful relationships with their housemates and practice independence by purchasing their own groceries, cooking their own meals, and cleaning up after themselves.
Referral
County social worker refers Client for housing
OR,
Client self-refers if over the age of 21
Intake
Client is verified for eligibility & learns program expectations
Client shares personal and professional goals
Unity Care shares site-based housing options & site-based behavioral guidelines and expectations
Team assesses if client is a good fit for Unity Care programming
Enrollment
Client agrees to program expectations and signs enrollment forms
Client is introduced to their new Case Manager
County social worker is infomed of clients’ enrollment
Move-in
Case Manager and Client agree on a move-in date
Unity Care prepares and furnishes the client’s new bedroom
Unity Care coordinates the transportation of the client and their belongings to their new home
Client receives site and bedrooom keys
Apartment Housing
Many of our clients are ready to live in their own apartments, especially when they have children. Our amazing Housing Specialists work closely with each client to find an apartment in their desired area that meets their specific needs and is within budget.
Unity Care covers the cost of clients’ apartment leases while they are enrolled in school or working towards a career goal, allowing them to focus on building sustainable income and growing their savings.
Our ultimate goal is for our clients to become financially self-sufficient, so they never face the risk of homelessness again in their lives.
Referral
County social worker refers Client for housing
OR,
Client self-refers if over the age of 21
Intake
Client is verified for eligibility & learns program expectations
Client shares personal and professional goals, and region where the apartment should be located
Team assesses if the Client is a good fit for Unity Care programming
“After a few weeks of couchsurfing, it got really stressful. I couldn’t get a job without an address. Now that I’ve got my own place, I’m even learning to cook for myself.”
Enrollment
Client agrees to program expectations and signs enrollment forms
Introduction to Housing Specialist and Case Manager
Housing Specialist works quickly to find safe apartment housing
Client and Housing Specialist visit and discuss housing options
Unity Care works with the landlord or leasing agency to hold the master lease.
Unity Care covers the cost of monthly rent, security deposit, and first/last months’ rent
Move-in
Unity Care furnishes the new apartment with essential furniture & household items
Unity Care coordinates the transportation of the client and their belongings to the new apartment
Client receives help to set up utilities in their name, and receives keys to the new apartment
Unity Care pays the monthly rent on behalf of the Client
What Comes Next
Within six months of move-in, Unity Care’s Housing Specialists begin collaborating with clients to develop a Housing Plan—the key to a successful transition into permanent housing and ultimately graduating from Unity Care.
Unity Care supports clients in:
Identifying the city/area where they would like to live, and any neighborhood preferences
Setting monthly savings goals for permanent housing
Building strong credit to secure and maintain permanent housing
Researching options for subsidized and unsubsidized permanent housing, including Foster Youth Initiative (FYI) housing vouchers available to foster youth from HUD
Leveraging relationships with housing providers and property managers to identify permanent landlords.
Covering Clients’ first and last months’ rent & security deposits
Am I eligible for an FYI Voucher?
A young person eligible to receive a FYI voucher must meet ALL of the following requirements:
1. Has attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age
2. Left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and
3. Is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older. A young person who meets the above requirements and is pregnant and parenting is also eligible.
Good Neighbor Commitment
With extensive experience in managing site-based housing, Unity Care works closely with neighbors and actively collaborates with city and county departments to address neighborhood concerns promptly. Many of our leadership and case management staff regularly attend and contribute to neighborhood and community meetings. We respond quickly to both residents' and neighbors' requests and complaints, prioritizing safety for all.
Unity Care residences located in your neighborhood promise to:
Keep noise levels to a respectful level during daytime and evening hours
Maintain grounds and building
Participate in activities/gatherings in the local community
Never engage in solicitation in the neighborhood
Adhere to on-site and local area parking rules and regulations
If you wish to report a neighborly concern, please contact us.
(408) 971-9822, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 6:30 (408) 309-5499, after 6:30 pm & all day Sat/Sun