United Way Orange County is celebrating successfully housing 1,000 people through its WelcomeHomeOC program, right on the heels of the organization marking 100 years of service in the county.
As it embarks on a new century, the nonprofit United Way has three main initiatives, United for Student Success, United for Financial Security and United to End Homelessness, to address the needs of O.C. residents, its leaders say. The organization also recently took over 2-1-1 Orange County, a hotline that connects residents with several types of community programs such as where to find community clinics, food pantries, homeless shelters and more.
In 2019, the WelcomeHomeOC program was created through the United to End Homelessness initiative to reduce the time it takes for individuals and families with housing vouchers to find an abode.
“The concept was, what does it look like to partner with property providers, involve them and help them feel like they’re part of addressing homelessness, and also provide incentives to help alleviate any fears or concerns they might have about potential negative impacts on their business,” Becks Heyhoe, executive director of United to End Homelessness, said. “And then alongside that, equally important was how do we support the service providers who are providing them with case management?”
It’s been “really remarkable,” Heyhoe said, to create an ecosystem to make a difference in Orange County.
The program aims to simplify the process for all parties involved, ensuring 12 months of case management and support services for those finding housing, and creates incentives and support for property owners and managers, including funding for security deposits, unit holding costs, furnishings and access to a damage mitigation fund.
WelcomeHomeOC’s Property Provider Network has more than 150 property managers, owners and developers who work with housing voucher holders experiencing homelessness in Orange County. Of the 1,000 individuals housed, officials said WelcomeHomeOC has supported 242 veterans, 103 former foster youth, 138 seniors and 97 families with minor children.
It is this kind of work that Susan Parks, president and CEO of OC United Way, said the organization looks forward to continuing for 100 more years.
“I think the secret sauce for all of our work here at Orange County United Way is listening and building those relationships like Becks has done with service providers and the apartment community that has gotten involved with us,” Parks said. “I look at our relationships in our United for Student Success work, how we work with schools and school districts and not just say here’s a cookie cutter approach to how we can help address dropout rates, etc., but ask what do you need? what’s important to you?”
The nonprofit in 2014 came up with its strategic plan to address multiple needs of Orange County’s most vulnerable residents such as education, Parks said.
“We had a 10-year goal to cut as a community high school dropout rates in half, and we achieved that in five years. In that period of time, we had a goal of reducing family financial instability by 25%. We also accomplished that in five years,” she said. “I feel like as a community we understood this idea of thinking bigger about what’s possible and focus on community outcomes. It’s all about impact. It’s all about improving lives.”
The nonprofit will be hosting several events this year to celebrate its centennial anniversary, including a women’s philanthropy fund breakfast, a golf tournament, a gala and more. For more information, go to unitedwayoc.org/events/journey-to-100.
Those looking to submit or refer residential rental units to the housing program can visit unitedtoendhomelessness.org/urgent-need-to-find-rentals or call 949-669-4435.
