Program helps keep those who hit hard times off the streets

Clark County residents facing a financial crisis can find help through a federal stimulus program designed to keep people in their homes and off the streets.

The $4 million Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program covers at least 730 families throughout the county who have been hardest hit by the economic downturn.

Tim Burch, assistant director of the county's Social Services Department, said 55 families have used $103,000 of the funding, which generally covers three to six months of rent and utilities. Assistance can be offered for up to 18 months, though extended help is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Participants must meet financial hardship guidelines and present an eviction notice or proof that utilities are past due.

In a two-income household, 28-year-old Tanesha never thought twice about buying Happy Meals for her two daughters.

The Las Vegan always paid her bills on time, and money was never a problem. There was the $1,300 monthly house payment, the $400 car payment, the $100 power bill, a $50 gas bill and other expenses. With a combined net pay of $57,000, Tanesha and her fiance lived comfortably with their children.

"Things were going so great," said Tanesha, who asked that her last name be withheld for privacy reasons. "The economy was going bad for awhile, but we weren't a part of it until this last year."

It was life's unpredictable ways that almost ruined her financially.

Tanesha lost her job as an office manager when her third daughter was born, and her fiance was laid off from work as he healed from surgery to remove a tumor on his foot.

The family downsized from their Henderson home to a two-bedroom apartment in northwest Las Vegas.

With bills piling up, and an eviction notice in hand, Tanesha went to HELP of Southern Nevada, one of the three main agencies that connect people with the homeless prevention funding.

HopeLink and Lutheran Social Services of Nevada also guide those in need to the resources available.

"I thought I failed," Tanesha said. "I realized this wasn't the case, but I felt that way. I never experienced anything like this. I was scared, disappointed, frightened, anxious and sad. This just wasn't the way it was supposed to go."

Her fiance is back at work but his hours have been cut to 30-35 per week. His reduced paycheck combined with the unemployment Tanesha is collecting as she cares for her new baby is enough for food and other necessities.

She said she's thankful the program covers her $765 monthly rent, a few utilities and any late fees for now.

But Tanesha said she was concerned that families have to be on the brink of eviction to get help.

"That's the only part I'm not happy with," she said. "Being a mother, you don't want to wait until you're being evicted. You want to get help before that happens. Waiting is the most stressful part."

Commissioner Rory Reid said the program is one of the "last safe harbors" for people to work through their financial problems.

"I can't imagine the anxiety of wondering whether you can continue to put a roof over your family's head," Reid said. "It's a terrible situation, but the resource is limited. We have to make sure we get it to the people who need it the most."

Contact Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279.