How to get out of homelessness

1. The Parable of the Pit
How
Off The Streets - Huntington Beach
Helps People Out of Homelessness

2. 1. Crisis!
● Lost job
● Spouse left
● Roommates
bailed
● Abuse
● Etc.
Homeless!

3. 2. Survival
● Living day to day
● Temporary
Shelter (maybe)
● No plan
Food
Clothing
Showers Haircuts
Laundry Temp Shelter
Lots of GOOD help available...but still homeless!
Maybe enough
income for rent
BUT
not enough for
rent and security
deposit
??

4. 3. Possibility
● An offer to create a plan
together
● A guide; a helper
● Encouragement
Still homeless but now there’s a possibility….
OTS Biz
Card
We can
help!
Hmmm....
??
Maybe enough
income for rent
BUT
not enough for
rent and security
deposit
OTS

5. 4. A Budget + a Plan
A budget and a plan….and someone to guide
We will
guide
you
Maybe it
will work?
A Plan
(find rental)
Budget
(target rent)
OTS
Maybe enough
income for rent
BUT
not enough for
rent and security
deposit

6. 5. A Collaborative Project
Work the Plan: assembling “The Ladder” to get out
Good
job keep
going!
Gotta work the plan!
Budget
(target rent)
A Plan
(find rental)
“The Ladder” Kit

7. 6. Progress Toward Placement!
It might
work!
Climbing the Ladder (searching for a rental)
A Plan
(find rental)
Budget
(target rent)

8. 7. Placement!
The Plan Worked!
I’m there!
A Plan
(find rental)
Budget
(target rent)

9. 8. A Sustainable Plan!
Cover and Fill the Pit
I’m housed!
Budget
(target rent)
Risk of future homelessness
Start filling
the pit by sticking
to the budget

10. 9. A Home =
a house + furnishings
I now have a home!
Risk of future homelessness
Fill the pit further
with an
Emergency Fund
Budget
(target rent)
Keep filling the Pit

11. Key Points
● This approach is very simple...and it works!
● We’ve taken over 50 people out of homelessness using
this process
● It requires personal responsibility. OTS guides, but the
person being helped does most of the work.
● That’s why we call it a “hand up” and not a “hand out”

12. To Learn more visit:
offthestreetsnow.com/hb