Two Hope Center Street Outreach Peer Specialists in Lexington are being recognized for helping two men find permanent housing.
Jason DeZarn says it takes building a relationship and not giving up on the goal of housing. “Letting them know what was available. Kind of motivate them. That’s what you’ve got to do cause they’ll stay like that and complacent. So, it just takes communication and pushing them sometimes,” said DeZarn.
DeZarn and fellow Street Outreach worker Dustin Louthen assisted Charles, who had been living on the street for five years and Robert, who had been on Lexington streets for two years.
Louthen said the challenge sometimes comes when the homeless have past negative experiences with finding housing. Dustin Louthen noted having personal experience to the plight of the homeless can go a long way in building rapport. “A lot of people aren’t too receptive to help because they’ve worked with other agencies before. Things didn’t quite work out exactly the way they were supposed to I guess. So, it makes them pretty reluctant to trust anybody to do any of this stuff,” explained Louthen.
DeZarn said age plays a role in finding housing with more available for those over 55. That was the case for Robert and Charles. He said some type of income, through social security for instance, is beneficial. DeZarn added getting case workers motivated can also help with the transition from the street to permanent housing.
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