Malik Barr, Housing Specialist for HousingPlus, had the opportunity to speak on Tuesday, July 28, at “Centering Economic Justice in Human Services,” an event hosted by FPWA. The event featured, among other speakers, a panel with Deputy Mayors Arteaga (Health & Human Services) and Su (Economic Justice).
Mr. Barr shared the story of one of his participants. She was incarcerated for 20 years. Upon coming home from prison, she was extremely eager to find stable housing through the HousingPlus Rapid Rehousing program. Six months after her release, with the help of Mr. Barr and HousingPlus, she entered her new apartment. Today, she works as an EMS driver.
In the Rapid Rehousing program, we follow participants for up to 2 years. As Mr. Barr reflected, “Imagine a client who [was incarcerated] for 25 long years. It doesn’t always start with housing. I may ask her, ‘Do you have healthcare?’”
There are so many factors determining outcomes for our participants, so the two years of aftercare for Rapid Rehousing clients provides a means of ensuring that individuals recently released from incarceration or detention feel comfortable with daily tasks like setting up online bill pay and larger goals as well, such as reuniting with or obtaining custody of minor children.
“I wish everyone could come to a participant’s apartment,” said Mr. Barr, stating that if those in our local government could speak to participants directly, they would recognize that “Housing is hustle.”
“We have to make it realistic to house women,” said Mr. Barr, explaining that in some scenarios, women are urged to get employment, but the income they earn can in turn make them ineligible for a housing voucher. Even with a voucher, Mr. Barr said he regularly encounters landlords who won’t lease to formerly incarcerated women, or just any woman with a voucher. “I go on a lot of site visits,” Mr. Barr said, “I want to ask landlords directly why we cannot house people.”
Mr. Barr ended by saying that in the three years he has been with HousingPlus, he has recognized that many people who come in the door are scared. This may be one of their first experiences after years of incarceration, and they are being asked to navigate difficult systems. He emphasizes that a core value of the process is trying to ensure that people feel comfortable during those first interactions. “I want my clients to hold me accountable,” he said.
We are so proud that Mr. Barr was able to share his perspective amongst the individuals attending this event hosted by FPWA.