Options for Community Living, Inc. (Options) has received a $20,000 grant award from Newsday Charities. The grant will support housing-related expenses for formerly homeless individuals and families in Options’ rapid rehousing program.
Options introduced rapid-rehousing several years ago as a solution to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid rehousing provides a rent subsidy, housing access, and additional resources and support. Referrals to the program come from long stays in area shelters.
Poor health, injury, or disability often causes homelessness when people are unable to work and have insufficient income to afford housing. Coupled with high housing costs on Long Island and low apartment vacancy rates, housing is out of reach for those with low incomes. Last year during its annual homeless count, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless reported 3,050 people experiencing homelessness on Long Island on a given day in January.
“Our staff works with each individual or family to identify decent housing, facilitate move-in, and provide services tailored to their unique needs,” said Yolanda Robano-Gross, Options Executive Director. “We’ve seen really positive outcomes as families transition from the program and remain stably housed.”
“The families we serve come to us with little more than the clothes on their backs,” said Allison Covino, Program Director. “This award from Newsday Charities is really important and appreciated.” Covino continued, “It will help support necessities that are not available through program funding, like beds and bedding, home furnishings, and kitchen and bath needs. Our families are so thankful and so are we.”
Newsday Charities is committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged Long Islanders. Through their work with nonprofit organizations, they help provide vital programs in the areas of hunger, housing, youth education, and child abuse prevention/treatment.
“Newsday Charities provides vital support to programs like ours,” said Robano-Gross. “We are truly grateful.”
About Options for Community Living, Inc.
Established in 1982, Options for Community Living, Inc. operates residential programs for adults recovering from mental illness and affordable supported housing and care coordination services for individuals and families with chronic health conditions. Options’ mission to assist people to live independently and with dignity in the community has grown through the years to serve more than 2,400 adults and children annually. For more information, call 631.361.9020 or visit Options’ website at optionscl.org.