Transitional Housing – Rapid Rehousing Program

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 24 and are currently experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis, let us help you make a move to safe, affordable housing.
You can do this. We Can Help.
Call 317-699-1994 to speak directly with a Youth Link Navigator.
Stopover’s Transitional Housing – Rapid Rehousing Program (TH-RRH) is a supportive housing program for young adults ages 16 to 24 who want to exit homelessness but need additional support to transition to living self-sufficiently.
This program provides safe and stable housing to young people transitioning from adolescence to adulthood who are still gaining the necessary skills for work and life. Through life skills training and housing support, we empower young people to transform their own lives and contribute positively to their community.
Stopover is a participant in HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) and the Indianapolis Continuum of Care.

How It Works

Needs Assessment & Referral

You will be asked to participate in a Coordinated Entry Housing Needs Assessment through YOUTHLINK. The assessment takes 30 to 45 minutes and the information is used to confirm your eligibility for rapid-rehousing and prioritize severity of needs. The TH-RRH program is a housing-first model, which means there are low barriers to entering the program. However, there may be a waiting period while appropriate housing becomes available.

Transitional Housing Plan (THP)

You will be guided by a Supportive Housing Specialist (SHS) who will help you develop a Transitional Housing Plan (THP) to prepare for living independently and transitioning into Rapid-Rehousing. Your Individualized plan will identify the following:
  • Your personal strengths.
  • Short and long-term personal goals (may include education, employment, or relational goals).
  • Current barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing.
  • Action steps you will need to take to address barriers and achieve your goals.
  • A timeline for completing action steps.

Transitional Housing

If you are not yet ready for rapid-rehousing, you may first be referred to transitional housing so you can work your plan in a supportive, home-like environment with peers who have similar lived experiences. While living in transitional housing, you’ll learn valuable life skills and be connected to additional community services to help you address your individual barriers to self-sufficiency and housing readiness. Transitional housing is free and voluntary while you work on your plan and save for future housing expenses. You may stay up to two years before transitioning to rapid rehousing. If you choose, or are able, to exit the program earlier, you will still have the support of your SHS for up to 6 months after leaving the program.

Case Management & Positive Youth Development

At Stopover, we’ve worked to create a safe and affirming environment where you can begin to heal from past trauma and loss while also celebrating your personal strengths. In our homes, we practice healing-centered care while also connecting you to age-appropriate services in the community. We recognize that you may be reluctant to engage in some services and may even struggle to live in the community of the transitional housing home. This is normal. Many young people experience setbacks during their stay, especially when progress is being made and they are close to reaching their housing goals. Independence can be as scary as it is exciting. You have a voice in advocating for your own needs, and we welcome all of our young people to participate in designing and evaluating our programs.

Life Skills Training

You will participate in various hands-on learning activities and formal workshops to prepare you to confidently live independently and in community with others. These may include:
  • Budgeting and money management
  • Housekeeping & basic maintenance
  • Meal prep and planning
  • Communication & conflict resolution
  • Healthy habits
  • Community building
  • Job interviewing & preparedness
  • Violence prevention
  • Sexual health

Housing Stability Plan

When you’re ready to move to Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and have worked with your Supportive Housing Specialist (SHS) to resolve potential barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing, you’ll create a Housing Stability Plan to identify your specific housing needs. This may include location, amenities, proximity to public transportation, desire for a roommate, budget, and available resources. Your plan will guide your SHS in finding a place that most closely meets your needs.

Housing identification

Your SHS will then begin searching for a place that meets your needs and rent reasonability for your budget. After confirming the property manager’s willingness to participate in the program, you’ll get an opportunity to tour each location and choose your new place. Your SHS will help you secure the needed documents and complete the rental application. Once accepted, the SHS will request to have the unit inspected for your safety and wellbeing.

Rent and Move-in Assistance

The Rapid-Rehousing program offers time-limited financial assistance to help you get to a point where you can cover your own living expenses. Rental assistance is available for move-in costs, deposits, and all or a portion of your rent for a limited period of time. Your SHS will continue to help you work your plan and navigate larger social systems to access long-term resources as you move toward financial independence.

Little Flower House

At our Indianapolis Little Flower House, young people live together in a supervised, home-like environment as they pursue an individual Transitional Housing Plan.

House managers and staff provide a caring and supportive environment that offers young people the chance to develop positive relationships, practice new life skills, and gain the confidence they need to live independently.
“Stopover provided me a stable and safe place to be, along with the support I needed to move forward.
Since coming here last year, I have received certifications and found a job that will allow me to help other young adults who are homeless and need help taking the next step.”
—Paul, Age 24, TH-RRH program participant

Answers

For Young People
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What is the transitional housing – rapid rehousing program?

This is a two-part answer. Transitional housing is long-term group housing for 16 to 24-year-olds who are doing the work to prepare to live independently. Rapid Rehousing is a coordinated community program that we participate in that helps 18 to 24-year-olds currently experiencing homelessness find and secure safe and affordable housing. In some cases, you may enter the rapid-rehousing program and get placed in our transitional housing program.
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Who is eligible?

Young adults ages 16 – 24 who are currently experiencing homelessness are eligible for transitional housing, but you must be over 18 to enter the rapid-rehousing portion of the program. Stopover’s houses and programs are low-barrier to entry. They are open to young adults of all gender identity, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, and cultures. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is respected.
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Do you have to tell my family where I am?

Not if you’re over the age of 18. But if you are a minor, the law requires that your parent or legal guardian be notified that you’re safe and under our care. We’ve had a lot of these conversations. They often go better than expected.
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How is transitional housing different from most homeless shelters?

It’s a house with four bedrooms, a kitchen, living spaces, a laundry room, and a computer room. Transitional housing is group living, so most people have a roommate, but there are never more than eight young adults living in the house at the same time. You’ll work with a supportive housing specialist to create a plan, learn new life skills, and prepare for the responsibilities of your own place. There is no cost for transitional housing.
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Can I come and go as I please or have visitors? What other rules are there?

If you’re over 18, you can. We have a 10 pm curfew for everyone’s safety, but what you do before that is up to you. Exceptions are made for work or school hours as long as you let your SHS know in advance. To protect everyone’s personal property and privacy, visitors are allowed at certain times of the day and only in designated rooms of the house. If you’re living in transitional housing and are under 18, you are still considered “under our care.” You can leave to attend school, work, or scheduled visits with your family or other necessary appointments. We do not allow drugs, alcohol, bullying, threats of violence, or weapons of any kind on our properties at any time. That’s a hard and fast rule for everyone.
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What is rapid rehousing?

A community program designed to help 18 to 24-year-olds experiencing homelessness find and secure safe and affordable housing. As part of this program, Stopover’s Supportive Housing Specialists (SHS) will help you create a budget and identify available housing options that meet your specific needs, such as location and access to public transportation. For a limited time, Stopover may also assist in paying your rent until you are able to pay 100%. During this time, you will continue to meet with Stopover’s Supportive Housing Specialists as you work toward meeting your goals.
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What do you expect from me?

We ask that you live as a cooperative and productive member of the household and the community. That you meet with your SHS regularly and actively participate in goal setting and decision making for your future. We expect you to treat other people and the property with respect. While living in transitional housing we’ll ask you to pitch in to keep the house clean.

If you are in rapid re-housing and receive rental support, you will be responsible for your utilities, groceries, and other living expenses.
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Do I have to be in school or have a job?

If you’re still under 18, the state requires that you be enrolled and attending school. The rest of it depends on what you hope to accomplish. Your SHS will help you develop a plan to meet your personal goals, which may include finishing school, professional training, and employment.
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How do I get into the transitional housing – rapid rehousing program?

We will connect you to a YouthLink Navigator for an assessment. After learning about your situation and your housing needs, the Navigator will determine the best housing fit. When housing becomes available, you are then referred to the program that matches your needs.
Homeless? You don’t have to be. Call us. 317.635.9301