Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee

Overview

Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee (HART) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the Upper Cumberland Continuum of Care. It covers an 18-county area in Tennessee and is a collaborative group of community-based social service providers, government officials, private citizens, and faith-based organizations. HART began organizing its efforts in 2001, formalizing its Continuum of Care structure to address homelessness.

Mission and Purpose

HART's mission is to end homelessness by creating a local process that consolidates and satisfies the need for housing, food, and healthcare for homeless individuals and families. It aims to provide comprehensive support to meet the diverse needs of the homeless population, ensuring they can be housed and remain housed. This is achieved through a community-based approach that fosters collaborative systems to address housing, mental health, education, and service coordination.

Programs and Services

HART administers various programs focusing on different aspects of homelessness:

• Permanent Housing: Offers community-based housing without a designated length of stay, including permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. Participants must have a lease for at least one year, renewable monthly, and terminable only for cause.
• Transitional Housing: Provides housing for up to 24 months to facilitate the transition to permanent housing.
• Emergency Shelters: Offers temporary shelter without the requirement for leases or occupancy agreements.

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

HART utilizes HMIS, a client management program, to provide and manage services for the homeless. This web-based system helps organizations avoid duplicating services, facilitates case management, and enables electronic referrals. HMIS is mandatory for recipients of Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grants, and other specific government programs. The system collects critical data to evaluate the effectiveness of homeless programs and aids in planning community responses to homelessness.

Funding and Impact

Since 2003, HART has been awarded over $6 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This funding supports a variety of programs, including those operated by faith-based, private, and government-funded organizations.

Member Organizations

HART collaborates with numerous organizations, including social service providers and community groups, to enhance its services and reach. These partnerships are essential in ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in rural Tennessee.

Financials and Operations

Homeless Advocacy for Rural Tennessee operates with a focus on leveraging HUD funding and community resources to combat homelessness effectively across its service area. The organization's financial operations are managed to maximize the impact of its programs and services.