A Critical Lifeline in Gwinnett: Lawrenceville Opens New Housing Center for Men
The City of Lawrenceville and nonprofit Impact46 have opened the F.I.R.S.T. Housing Center, a new transitional housing program for men experiencing homelessness in Lawrenceville and greater Gwinnett County.
The center transforms a 70-year-old apartment building into eight private, apartment-style units, including one accessible for residents with mobility needs.
How Does It Work?
F.I.R.S.T. stands for For Intensive Response and Supportive Transitions.
Men referred through the Lawrenceville Police Department and other community partners can live at the center free of charge for up to 89 days.
Each resident meets with a licensed clinician and case manager to identify what is preventing him from obtaining stable housing and create an individualized plan. Support can include counseling, employment connections and other services needed to move forward.
The private-unit model is different from a congregate shelter, where multiple residents typically share sleeping and living spaces.
Filling a Gap in Gwinnett County
While Gwinnett County has housing resources for women, children, and families, Lawrenceville says there had not been a facility dedicated specifically to single men experiencing homelessness.
The project is supported with federal HOME-ARP funding, federal money communities can use to create housing and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Gwinnett County administered the funding, with additional support coming from local organizations and community partners.
For eight men at a time, the goal is to provide a stable place to live while addressing the barriers standing between homelessness and permanent housing.