| Name | Jon |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Rector |
| Home Address | 377 STEELE RD ROSSVILLE, GA 30741-8315 United States |
| Organization Name | Chattanooga Outreach |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | Executive Director |
| Organization Address | PO Box 983 124 Signal Hills Dr. Chattanooga, TN 37405 Chattanooga, TN 37401 United States |
| Website | https://theuniongospelmission.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 4237524998 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 4233560177 |
| Email Address | mail@theuniongospelmission.org |
| Alternate Email Address | mail@theuniongospelmission.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | Chattanooga Outreach has served the Chattanooga community for over 70 years. The organization was founded in 1950 as the Union Gospel Mission, providing services to Chattanooga’s homeless population and shelter to homeless men and received 501(c)(3) status in 2007. Over the decades, its location and its name have changed, but its mission has not. Currently, Chattanooga Outreach provides housing and programs for men with substance use and homeless needs. In 2019, the organization received approval from the Tennessee Board of Corrections to expand services to provide housing and support for reentry into the community for individuals involved with the criminal justice system. In addition to providing housing to men in need, Chattanooga Outreach also provides community meals three times a year. Approximately 400 meals are provided to homeless persons in downtown Chattanooga, and basic necessities such as hygiene items are distributed. From 2009 to 2020, Chattanooga Outreach’s residential program grew to a 20-bed capacity. This was recently reduced to 11 beds, as our 12-year agreement with Volunteer Behavior Health expired, and they resumed management of the 8-bed facility for their own purposes. As a result, we were forced to pause providing reentry housing. However, in 2021, Chattanooga Outreach purchased a half-acre piece of land adjacent to our current facility. The purpose of this project is to purchase and place two multi bedroom manufactured homes on the property. This new housing would provide 8 to 12 additional beds (4-6 per home). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been overwhelmed with demand for programs and housing. Additionally, the need for reentry housing and community support for the unhoused has continued to grow. Through the support of the Chattanooga American Rescue Plan, we will be able to purchase and furnish two new mobile homes providing housing and programming to 8 additional men. The $144,099.26 project estimate includes: purchase of 2 new manufactured homes, providing an additional 1,600 – 2,200 square feet (8-12 total additional beds) ($110,000.00) Delivery and setup (included in purchase) Foundations, ramps, sidewalk, and decking for homes ($15,000.00) Parking improvements ($8,000.00) Furnishings for the homes (beds, couches, tables, kitchen items, linens, etc.) ($8,599.26) Security System ($2,500.00) |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | The expansion of housing services by Chattanooga Outreach meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan in the following efforts: Providing an additional 12 units of affordable supportive housing in Chattanooga for individuals experiencing homelessness, suffering from substance misuse or mental health issues, and individuals involved with the criminal justice system reentering the community The proposed project from Chattanooga Outreach will serve the most vulnerable individuals impacted most by the current pandemic. Safe, stable, affordable supportive housing will offer individuals with underlying, unmet needs the opportunity to engage in services available through Chattanooga Outreach and begin the journey to self-sufficiency. This project, supportive housing, and the services provided by Chattanooga Outreach meet the eligibility criterial of 86 FR 26786, 31 CFR 35. See links provided: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-10283/p-605 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-10283/p-615 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2021-10283/p-616 |
| Where would your project take place? | 122 Signal Hills Dr. Chattanooga, TN 37405 |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 144099.26 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | No |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | |
| If funded, when would your project start? | March 1, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 3-6 months |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Purchase, delivery, and setup of 2 new homes Ramps, decks, sidewalks installed Parking improvements Furnishing Residents moved in |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | Chattanooga Outreach receives funding from approximately 5,000 donors, which includes over 250 businesses and organizations. We are proficient in reporting outcomes and success measures as well as adherence to compliance requirements instituted by the funding sources. Chattanooga Outreach will comply with the requirements from the City of Chattanooga, adhere to occupancy codes, fire codes and any other applicable housing codes to ensure the health and safety of the residents. Any audits or monitoring to ensure compliance will also be completed. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | This project benefits the community by providing long-term transitional housing for individuals suffering from homelessness, substance misuse, and/or mental health issues. These are issues that disproportionately affect minority, veteran, and offender populations. Additionally, due to the location and established relationships with local businesses, increasing the number of individuals served also contributes to providing eligible and willing employees for area employers as Chattanooga Outreach is conveniently located within walking distance to many employers. Finally, through a project of this nature, creating permanent facilities, the project will benefit the community in years to come, supporting vulnerable populations even after the current public health crisis has subsided. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | Through our long-standing commitment to serving the Chattanooga community, we have developed partnerships with other area service organizations, such as the Chattanooga Rescue Mission and the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. We also regularly serve individuals discharged from local mental health institutes, such as the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute and Volunteer Behavioral Health, and the McNabb Center. We also have established relationships with key community partners to provide employment to residents, such as our local Little Caesars, Food City, and Southern Champion Tray. We have a long-standing collaboration with the Bessie Smith Cultural Center to provide dinner to individuals experiencing homelessness multiple times throughout the year, typically serving up to 400 meals. Additionally, we currently maintain approximately 5,000 donors, which includes over 250 businesses and organizations. This does not include other specialty community grants and service donations from corporate sponsors such as Walmart, Food City, and the Osbourne Foundation. |
| Name | Jon Rector |
| Contact Information | mail@theuniongospelmission.org |
| Name | City of Chattanooga |
| Contact Information | |
| Name | Clayton Homes |
| Contact Information | 5501 Ringgold Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412 |
| Name | Dr. Sherah Basham |
| Contact Information | Sherahbasham@gmail.com |
| Name | Trish Cunningham |
| Contact Information | CHI-2 Regional Housing Facilitator Hamilton County Adult Center 601 Cumberland St. Chattanooga, TN 37404 |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | Chattanooga Outreach has the commitment and the capacity to implement the proposed project. Our commitment is evident through our history and mission of improving the outcomes of the homeless, veterans, ex-offenders, and individuals in recovery from substance use disorder in Hamilton County. Chattanooga Outreach has the organizational capacity and the community support capacity to ensure the project’s successful implementation. Once the new affordable housing is developed, the minimal program fees will cover the expenses related to the housing opportunities provided. In situations in which residents are unable to pay program fees, funding will be diversified through the following sources: State/Federal Funding Private Sources Community Events Donor Support Private Grants United Way Funding |