DRC HOUSING FIRST SOLUTIONS TAKE THE LEAD, DAY SHELTER RELOCATES

DRC solutions now offer permanent housing, not just temporary shelter

FORT WORTH, Texas (December 5, 2016)—The city’s first day shelter for people experiencing homelessness, one that has operated at 1415 E. Lancaster Ave. since 1999, closes permanently at 4:30 p.m. December 14, 2016, as part of a planned transfer of day shelter services to True Worth Place, 1513 E. Presidio St., effective December 15.

The DRC expects no interruption in day shelter and related services for people experiencing homelessness.

From December 15, the DRC, formerly Day Resource Center for the Homeless, will move forward as a housing services agency on the vanguard of solutions to homelessness that emphasize permanent housing, not just temporary shelter. 

“The DRC’s people, programs and places work diligently to reduce the reliance on shelters, open doors to housing and help people find a place to call home,” Bruce Frankel, DRC executive director, said. “Housing saves money, saves lives, and protects the health and vitality of the community.”

Since the summer of 2015, the DRC has modeled its solutions on a proven approach known as Housing First. Housing First solutions—which have helped communities like Houston significantly reduce homelessness—help people experiencing homelessness find housing first and then link housing with services they will need to succeed.

DRC Housing First options include rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing as well as services that set the stage for housing.

These and other solutions are part of a DRC program portfolio that also includes street outreach, victim advocacy for homeless victims of violent crime and critical documents services. DRC programs now operate both independent of and in collaboration with program partners, including Downtown Fort Worth Inc., JPS Health Network, MHMR Tarrant County, Safe Haven, Tarrant County Community Development, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, the Veterans’ Administration and others.

Through its partnership with True Worth Place, the DRC will continue to steward Room in the Inn, a hospitality program that opens houses of worship for overnight shelter in winter and summer, and present Cypress St. Café, a monthly evening of live music for people experiencing homelessness, all at the new facility.

DRC solutions are offered at service sites across town through colocation, or rotation of DRC staff through facilities of agency partners like Community Crossroads, First St. Mission, Fort Worth Central Library, One Safe Place, Paulos Properties, LLC, Presbyterian Night Shelter, Salvation Army, True Worth Place, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County and When We Love.

“DRC community-based, Housing First services meet people where they are,” Frankel said. “Homelessness has no fixed address, so help must be equally flexible and innovative.”

OUR MISSION

Day Resource Center for the Homeless is now the DRC. Our mission is to provide respectful, responsible and effective community-based solutions to help individuals and families emerge from homelessness as productive, healthy people. For more information, the public can visit www.DRC-Solutions.org, call 817-575-7948, or follow the DRC on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media should email media@DRC-Solutions.org or call or text Executive Director Bruce Frankel at 817-690-8867.