JOIN believes that the best way to encourage stable and sustainable housing situations is to provide unique and individualized support to each household. Retention workers offer a myriad of post-placement support including job finding assistance, access to benefits acquisition programs, transportation to important medical and legal appointments, and friendship and general support. One woman commented, "It's nice now that I don't need help with money from JOIN, my retention worker is still someone I can talk to."
Rebuilding Community
We know that homeless people can often be alienated from the larger community. More importantly, we know that the transition to permanent housing can be a difficult transition, leaving new tenants with overwhelming feelings of isolation. These feelings can threaten their ability to remain in housing. Re-establishing healthy and meaningful communities and social networks is a vital aspect of our retention efforts. With the support of volunteers, community groups, and local businesses, retention workers provide several opportunities to engage with the community each month. This includes outings to local scenic areas, volunteer opportunities in Portland, community gardening, and many more.
