JANESVILLE — ECHO announced this week it has received renewed funding of $360,000 from United Way Blackhawk Region to extend the ECHOWAY Program and the two Housing Navigator positions through 2027.
In a news release, ECHO said they were extremely grateful to have the continued support of United Way Blackhawk Region and its donors as they continue our work to serve and support Rock County’s most-vulnerable populations.
ECHOWAY was established with ECHO’s first United Way funds in 2012, and is a housing program serving
Rock County low-income people who are experiencing homelessness, or are at immediate risk of
homelessness.
They may be in ECHO’s lodging program, at local shelters, living in a car, temporarily living
with someone, or may have received a five-day notice.
They must be willing to work to improve their situation by participating in case management. ECHO case managers help them work on budgeting, employment and education issues and address other barriers to self-sufficiency.
Seeing their case manager weekly while in lodging and at least monthly for rent assistance, they may receive security deposit, single or multiple-month rent and other wrap-around services.
The United Way grant funds will be used for direct housing-related assistance for low-income people in
Rock County, not just in the Janesville area.
None of the funds will be used for staffing or operating costs.
The funds will be used to pay: security deposits; single- or multiple-month rent (usually multiple) ; and other direct costs related to stabilizing housing.
The security deposit and rent funds go directly to the landlords or management companies. ECHO also uses other grants, as well as ECHO Donated Funds to get people out of homelessness and into stable housing.
The Housing Navigator position was established in July 2019 with United Way funds and expanded to
include a second position in 2022. The Housing Navigators assists homeless households with accessing
permanent housing and consults with local service providers to identify appropriate housing opportunities for clients.
The Housing Navigators also conducts outreach and recruitment of local landlords to inform them of
the local service providers housing programs including but not limited to Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing.
Responsible for providing client support, mentoring, and assistance with the navigation of community resources and services in the interest of aiding clients to progress toward greater self-sufficiency.
Conduct assessment to determine clients’ housing barriers, needs, and preferences to develop an action plan to secure housing. Assist client with housing search mainly by contacting landlords and scheduling showings, but also by providing leads to clients and coaching clients on how to speak with potential landlords.