Parable of the pit

The Parable of the Pit

How Off The Streets - Huntington BeachHelps People Out of Homelessness

1. Crisis! ● Lost job● Spouse left● Roommates

bailed● Abuse● Etc.

Homeless!

2. Survival ● Living day to day● Temporary

Shelter (maybe)● No plan

Food Clothing

Showers Haircuts

Laundry Temp Shelter

Lots of GOOD help available...but still homeless!

Maybe enough income for rent

BUT not enough for

rent and security deposit

??

3. Possibility ● An offer to create a plan together

● A guide; a helper● Encouragement

Still homeless but now there’s a possibility….

OTS Biz Card

We can help!

Hmmm....

??

Maybe enough income for rent

BUT not enough for

rent and security deposit

OTS

4. A Budget + a Plan

A budget and a plan….and someone to guide

We will guide you

Maybe it will work?

A Plan(find rental)

Budget(target rent)

OTS

Maybe enough income for rent

BUT not enough for

rent and security deposit

5. A Collaborative Project

Work the Plan: assembling “The Ladder” to get out

Good job keep going!

Gotta work the plan!

Budget(target rent)

A Plan(find rental)

rent + OTS security deposit“The Ladder” Kit

6. Progress Toward Placement!

It might work!

rent

+ O

TS s

ec d

ep

Climbing the Ladder (searching for a rental)

A Plan(find rental)

Budget(target rent)

7. Placement!

The Plan Worked!

I’m there!

rent

+ O

TS s

ec d

ep

A Plan(find rental)

Budget(target rent)

8. A Sustainable Plan!

Cover and Fill the Pit

I’m housed!

Budget(target rent)

Risk of future homelessness

Start fillingthe pit by sticking

to the budget

9. A Home = a house + furnishings

I now have a home!

Risk of future homelessness

Fill the pit further with an

Emergency Fund

Budget(target rent)

Keep filling the Pit

Key Points● This approach is very simple...and it works!

● We’ve placed 40 people between the months of June - November 2014

● It requires personal responsibility. OTS guides, but the person being helped does most of the work.

● That’s why we call it a “hand up” and not a “hand out”

To Learn more visit:

offthestreetsnow.com/hb