Safe Shelter Housing Program

Safe Shelter Program

The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority provides temporary housing and support services to income eligible families in designated safe shelter locations in Pottawatomie County.
Through the Program, it is hoped that Participants will set and achieve life goals that will enable them to secure more long-term housing options in the future. Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority will offer budget, credit, home maintenance and related counseling to Participants. Participants must complete the classes scheduled by Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority it is a condition of continued participation in the Program. Participation in employment, mental health, substance abuse, parenting, educational, domestic violence, child welfare and other programs of the Tribe or other agencies is encouraged. If a service or safety plan is required by a Court, the Tribe or other agency, then the Participant must continue to participate in such plan or program as a condition of continued occupancy of the Dwelling Unit.

The Safe Shelter Program is to serve the following:

In addition, during such time as the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma is actively responding to COVID-19 or other pandemic event, certain dwelling units may be designated as quarantine housing to provide an enhanced level of medical monitoring and to protect tribal elders from community spread of infectious diseases. Enrolled members of the Tribe will receive preferential consideration in the allocation of housing services and other resources under the Safe Shelter Housing Program.

DECLARATION OF 214 STATUS

POLICIES

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Qualification Criteria:

  • Must be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe
  • Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
  • Must meet income guidelines
  • Must have income sufficient to meet the financial obligations for the Safe Shelter Program at the time of move-in
  • Must have no other means of safe housing.
  • Must be screened at intake by the Family Service staff.
  • Must intend to use the program unit as their primary residence throughout the terms of the lease
  • domestic violence survivors,
  • persons who are homeless or precariously housed,
  • displaced persons as defined below,
  • persons who are subject to safety or reunification plans through a child welfare program

Pre-Screening Required:

  • Criminal History
  • Credit History
  • Income Verification

Waiting List Priority:

First preference shall be given to applicants who are enrolled members of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Second preference shall be given to applicants who are enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe who are descendants of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.

Subject to the foregoing, priority will be given on first come, first serve basis.

Safe Shelter participants are permitted to occupy the Dwelling Unit for a period not to exceed six (6) months. A Participant’s length of stay depends on his or her Independence Plan, which is reviewed monthly with Family Service staff. The TDHE may extend the lease period for an additional ninety (90) days for any Participant experiencing unforeseen circumstances which require an extended stay in the Program. An extension request must be approved by the Executive Director thirty (30) days prior to the initial lease period ending. One (1) extension request will be allowed per household, with no exceptions.  

INCOME GUIDELINES

1 $54,768
2 $62,592
3 $70,416
4 $78,240
5 $84,499
6 90,758
7 $97,018
8 $103,277

Family Service Contact

Linda Gouge

Community & Resident Services Administrator
Phone: (405) 617-0492
Email: [email protected]

Melissa Reynoso

Family Service Specialist l
Phone: (405) 617-0491
Email: [email protected]

RoseAnn George

Family Service Specialist ll
Phone: (405) 617-0493
Email:

[email protected]