Housing First Umpqua
Housing First Umpqua is an all-volunteer organization relying on people in the community to step up and join us to solve homelessness in Douglas County. Here are some ways you can do that:
Homeless Advocate
We need people to help homeless individuals access income, housing and any services for which they are eligible, to get them off the streets.
This includes helping people through the maze of services that exists in our community. You will assist people applying for disability benefits through our SOAR program, seeking housing, needing medical, mental health & addiction services, as well as, vocational services.
You can volunteer to do one or more of these activities.
Harmful public policy contributes to the cause of homelessness. Good public policy will fix it. Systemic Advocacy is a core of Housing First Umpqua and this means working on changing bad public policies and supporting good public policies that will move us toward ending homelessness in Douglas County.
Our public policy volunteers are those who like to do research, find answers and share information. Your focus will be working with others to help HFU identify programs and policies to support.
HFU Income Advocates
Income advocate volunteers help people get disability income through Social Security and the State of Oregon’s General Assistance programs.
SOAR = SSI/SSDI Outreach Access & Recovery is a national program that Housing First Umpqua is using to help our homeless neighbors with disabilities access income to pay for housing.
Housing First Umpqua’s SOAR Advocates will be thoroughly trained to help someone apply for Social Security disability income.
You will need to complete the national SOAR online training program, plus our local SOAR training. You must agree to assist at least one homeless community member through the whole application process, as well as reconsideration if necessary.
SOAR Advocates will also help the individual access Oregon General Assistance (GA), which one may qualify for while the Social Security case is being decided. You can find out more about SOAR and General Assistance by checking out our SOAR page.
Public Policy
Affordable Housing Development
This is for folks who want to work towards our main goal, which is to provide housing for everyone who needs it in our community. HFU is not a housing developer, but we want to support feasible community housing development, which will address all levels of housing needs.
Income-based Affordable Housing
Although this is a lot like public policy, the focus will be on increasing income-based affordable housing in Douglas County. It will include identifying land, money and other resources our community can access, as well as, who may be the best local stewards of our affordable housing stock.
Our volunteers will be working with others in the community, including those who are local non-profit, private and public housing developers.
Office Administrative Help
We need volunteers to staff our small office, which is currently located at the Roseburg Senior Center. We need a couple of volunteers who have experience working in an office setting, where confidential information is handled, who are comfortable with computers and working independantly. Although this work may not be glamorous, it will be some of the most important work we do to get individuals off the streets, because you will be helping to run our individual advocacy efforts.
Fundraising
Housing First Umpqua needs a volunteer who would:
Have ideas to raise money and awareness
Write grants
Put on special events
Ask people for money
If you have strong skills and successful experience doing these tasks
Housing First Umpqua needs YOU!
Public Relations & Outreach
Everyone can help us with public relations and outreach. Some of the ways to do this are:
Spread the word about solutions to homelessness and Housing First Umpqua.
Write letters to the Editor and comment on online articles regarding homelessness and housing.
Do public speaking to community groups, or organize presentations.
Do artwork to raise awareness about homelessness.
Design fliers, brochures, posters, etc.
Write stories and articles about affordable housing, homelessness and Housing First Umpqua.
Help us make YouTube podcasts and videos.
Interview and photograph those living outside to tell their stories.
Become a Social Media Volunteer. All you have to do is join our Social Media Campaign.
You may also provide direct advocacy services to help with any barriers. One of the reasons so many people become chronically homeless is their inability to navigate a fragmented system of services. Sometimes folks just need someone to help them navigate the system. This help can unlock the access they need to get housed.
Complete training and ongoing support will be provided.
Homeless Services Advocate (HSA)
Homeless advocates will go to where our homeless neighbors live and let them know about Housing First Umpqua and other community resources. You will also help:
Identify needs
Provide information and referrals
Do follow up to track the outcomes
Identify barriers that need to be addressed
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