About Family PASS

Bridging the Gap

A gap exists in Fairfax County between when families exit transitional housing programs and when they obtain permanent affordable housing. Transitional housing programs generally house families for 18-24 months. One of the first priorities for families in the program is applying and being placed on the waiting list for permanent affordable housing through the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA). Because the need for affordable housing is greater than the supply, it will take over three years to be contacted by the FCRHA. There are few options available to these families including the shelter system with its 6 month wait list. Family PASS evolved in response to the need to expand the supply of affordable housing for low-income families.

Case Study

Family Preservation and Strengthening Services became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit in August 2006. However, the story began two years earlier when Suezette Steinhardt began working for a local transitional housing organization in Fairfax County. It became clear to the Steinhardts that the clients in the transitional program would face the risk of becoming homeless once again because the supply of affordable housing is insufficient. This happened to one young woman and her children.

During “Sylvia’s” stay in the transitional housing program, she and the agency put time, energy and resources into launching her and her children toward independence. By the end of the 18 month period, she had a full-time job, stable child care and an old but reliable vehicle. However, “Sylvia’s” salary did not qualify her for even the cheapest rents in the County. Her only option was to be placed in a homeless shelter. We discovered that this was not a viable option because there is a six month wait list for family shelters. She had to leave the transitional housing program, but had no place to go. It was crucial for the goal of independence to continue fostering the essential work and life skills that had been acquired during the transitional housing period, but this would be next to impossible without a stable housing situation. The progress this family had made was in serious jeopardy because there was no bridge available between transitional housing and permanent affordable housing.

Going out on a limb, the Steinhardts rented a townhouse for the family in November 2005. Based on HUD guidelines, the family only paid 31% of their income toward housing and utilities. The Steinhardts subsidized the rest. Within one year Sylvia received permanent affordable housing through the FCRHA. This would not have been possible if she had become homeless and inevitably unemployed. The FCRHA guidelines require full time employment for their housing programs. In addition, she has been at the same place of employment for 3 years, and has received promotions and pay increases. While in the Family PASS program, the young woman began attending college at night. She knew her future was dependent on further education and training. She is now about to complete her Associates degree at Northern Virginia Community College. All of this has occurred because the client had goals and aspirations and stable housing. Without affordable housing, she would not have maintained the forward momentum initiated in the transitional housing program.

Family PASS History and Development

The Steinhardts' experience with “Sylvia” was a pilot effort that spawned and shaped Family PASS. From November 2005 to August 2006, the Steinhardts began the process of forming Family PASS. In April 2006, Suezette left her position at the transitional program to work full time on developing the Family PASS program. She contacted various agencies throughout the country who work with homeless families, read through existing research, and put together a program based on best practices and tailored to the problems facing families in Fairfax County. By August 2006, Family PASS was approved as a 501 (c) 3.

In November 2006, Suezette sent out an email to a few friends describing the program and was overwhelmed by the response and donations. Family PASS raised enough money from that email to house 3 families for one year (average rent subsidy is about $500-$600/month). In addition, she was able to recruit a Board of Directors, who volunteer not only their time to guide the organization, but also their energy and resources. Together they have worked to create additional sources of affordable housing through the existing rental market. We have also found local landlords who have been generous in their willingness to work with Family PASS and accept our clients. Without the dedication of the board, the help from volunteers, and the collaboration with the landlords, Family PASS would not be operating at the capacity it is today.

Until July 2008, the staff has been all-volunteer, donating over 3000 hours of their time per year. In 2008, Family Pass received a two year grant from the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool (CCFP) for a part-time administrative assistant. In addition, the CCFP granted Family PASS the funds for rental assistance for two additional families per year. We are now able to serve 6-8 families per year. That means 18-24 people (12-16 are children) who would otherwise be homeless are living in their own home, working and continuing on the road towards self-reliance.

Because further education and training are crucial components to survival within the current economy, many of the parents are attending classes to upgrade their skills and earning potential. This is in addition to working full-time. This posed another problem – evening child care. Most of the parents were attending one or two classes per week and needed a safe place for their children. It became necessary to add this component to the Family PASS program. We opened the doors to our evening child care program within the first year of operation. It has given these parents the freedom to pursue goals that will ensure the stability of themselves and their children.

Families at risk may be referred to the program by local churches, social service agencies and the Department of Family Services. In order to qualify for rent stipends, candidates must work full time and may not receive any housing benefits from government agencies or the private sector. All services provided by Family PASS are free of charge to qualifying clients.

Suezette Steinhardt holds an MA in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University. She did her thesis work on programs for at-risk youth under Stephen F. Hamilton, who has influenced her conviction that human development occurs in the context of family, school, community and work.