By Mike Hazlip—
The Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) is wrapping up its 2021 efforts, and planning for expanded efforts next year to help those living on the streets as well as those at risk of becoming homeless.
In a phone call with The Sentinel Tuesday, HART Chairwoman Irene Hronicek said the organization has accomplished three significant goals for 2021 as they prepare for next year.
Hronicek said HART received a $10,000 grant in June to offer rental assistance to those at risk of becoming homeless. The organization applied for twice that amount, and said the funds were spent by early October. The funds went to eight households, that kept a combined 10 adults and 13 children from becoming homeless, Hronicek said.
Keeping families and individuals from becoming homeless has a greater financial benefit in the long term, Hronicek said.
“We used the funds to assist the near homeless to stay in their homes because it’s far less expensive and better to help someone remain where they are than to try to recover from an eviction and all that brings to a rental history and credit report,” she said.
The organization also increased the number of families served through The Underground clothing store at Sunrise Mall by expanding the hours of operation. Hronicek said organizers made the decision to keep The Underground open later on Wednesdays, and they have seen an increase in families coming to the store after work hours as a result.
The nonprofit also welcomed Gabriella Yost, the new navigator who works with members of the community to assist them with finding more permanent housing. Yost comes from Rancho Cordova, where she was also a navigator.
Looking forward to next year, Hronicek said organizers are considering expanding HART’s presence at Sunrise Mall with a study area for students. The drop-out rate is closely tied to incarceration rates, and giving students the help they need will have long term benefits, Hronicek said.
“You don’t see kids on the streets,” she said. “You might see the parents living in their cars or the family has split up to live with different relatives or different friends. But the kids are generally with grandma and grandpa or sofa surfing.”
HART also will continue its rotating Winter Sanctuary program, designed to offer shelter and assistance to homeless individuals during the coldest and wettest nights of the year. This year’s program began on Dec. 26 and will continue through mid-Feburary of next year.
From last week: Rotating homeless shelter to begin Dec. 26 in Citrus Heights; volunteers sought
The goal of HART’s programs will continue to be in helping individuals become more self sufficient, Hronicek said, noting, “We’re not there to make people comfortable in their homelessness.”
“We don’t want them to be comfortable in their situation, but we do try to keep them healthy and we do try to help them see a path out of their current situation,” she said.” “We see them — and hopefully they come to see themselves — as a beloved child of God. And all of us need a reminder of that at times.”
Citrus Heights HART is part of a network of outreach organizations throughout the greater Sacramento area, and receives funding from a number of businesses and organizations, Hronicek said.
Supporting organizations include local churches, the City of Citrus Heights, Sunrise Marketplace, Grace House and The Way Ministries, various civic groups and food banks, Dignity Health, Just Serve, and others.
