Responding to the Need
For more than 25 years, Shared Housing Center has worked to break the cycle of homelessness for the elderly, single parents with children and persons with special needs in Dallas County. Through the efficient redesign and reuse of existing housing stock, we have utilized our Homeshare and Group Residence programs to provide safe, nurturing, transitional and semi-permanent housing options to homeless or near homeless individuals and families impacted by economic hardship, catastrophic illness or job instability/unemployment.
In the first decade of the 21st century, we have seen a new crisis of homelessness, exacerbated by the recent recession. Homeless women we serve include veterans who have few resources, have been separated from their children for long periods of time, and suffer quietly from post-traumatic symptoms. We often help working poor individuals and families who must often work two and three jobs with few, if any benefits and are unable to afford decent, affordable housing. Shared Housing is working to create more supportive, permanent housing options that are more effective in helping homeless families and individuals move out and stay out of poverty and into housing options and lifestyles of self-sufficiency and responsibility.
In the first decade of the 21st century, we have seen a new crisis of homelessness, exacerbated by the recent recession. Homeless women we serve include veterans who have few resources, have been separated from their children for long periods of time, and suffer quietly from post-traumatic symptoms. We often help working poor individuals and families who must often work two and three jobs with few, if any benefits and are unable to afford decent, affordable housing. Shared Housing is working to create more supportive, permanent housing options that are more effective in helping homeless families and individuals move out and stay out of poverty and into housing options and lifestyles of self-sufficiency and responsibility.
Utilizing efficient, eco-friendly design, the GREEN HAUS is our newest model for creating efficient, comfortable, and affordable housing options for rebuilding families and broken lives. To be built soon near the Santa Fe Trail in East Dallas, this all-green (LEED certified), 24-unit community will provide a supportive housing environment for single parent, female head-of-household families with dependent children. In addition, housing will be provided for disabled and older adult (50+) single, homeless women. The GREEN HAUS will be built on approximately 1 acre of land with four residential buildings and one shared community building for use by the residents in the community.
The GREEN HAUS community is designed to have a low carbon footprint and minimize the cost of long-term maintenance: thirty-year architectural shingles, a combination of brick/stucco exterior, rain catchers for irrigation, use of native plants, erosion and sedimentation control, water conservation fixtures, energy conservation fixtures, healthy flooring and finish materials, and star-energy appliances for energy efficiency. Read More
Residents will benefit from several unique amenities: a shared community building which will offer a computer lab and meeting space for educational and recreational purposes, a common playground with a nearby gazebo, an outdoor grill and picnic tables, and a community garden which will provide better nutrition and food awareness. The nearby Santa Fe Hike and Bike Trail will provide residents with plenty of exercise opportunities. The Green Haus is a bold new step in providing effective, innovative housing options to help break the cycle of homelessness: Responsible design! Responsible lives! |