The Mission

Program Overview: 

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Outreach Mission , Inc. (OMI) delivers a comprehensive Housing Navigation & Stability Program, designed to move individuals and families from homelessness to permanent housing while ensuring long term stability and self sufficiency. The program is anchored by OMI's SJ Wornom - SECU Community Shelter a 76 bed emergency homeless shelter in Sanford, North Carolina, which serves as the centralized entry point into a coordinated continuum of care. 

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Upon entry, individuals receive immediate stabilization through safe shelter, basic needs support, and an initial assessment process that identifies barriers to housing, income status, and supportive service needs. Within this structured intake phase, clients are connected to a case manager who develops an individualized housing stability plan focused on rapid transition to permanent housing.

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From this point, clients are actively engaged in housing navigation services, including housing search assistance, landlord engagement, application support, and coordination with local housing authorities and voucher programs. OMI works to reduce common barriers such as limited income, credit challenges, and rental history issues by providing advocacy, documentation support, and access to financial assistance through its Hand Up to Housing Program.

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A core component of the system is OMI’s Re-Housing Savings Program, which requires clients to actively participate in saving up to 75% of their income toward housing-related expenses. This structured savings model promotes self-determination, financial accountability, and prepares clients to successfully transition into and sustain permanent housing.

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To prevent service disruption, OMI utilizes its Transitional Continuum Access Model (TCAM), which provides short-term bridge housing solutions for clients who reach shelter time limits but are actively pursuing housing opportunities. This ensures that clients do not lose progress due to system delays, employment timing, or housing approval processes.

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Once housed, clients continue to receive housing stabilization services, including case management, financial coaching, employment support, and life skills development to ensure long-term housing retention. OMI also integrates workforce development and financial readiness through partnerships with local employers and financial institutions, strengthening income stability and reducing the likelihood of returning to homelessness.

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As part of its broader system approach, OMI is positioned to collaborate with Sanford Housing Authority to provide wraparound supportive services to families placed in Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Permanent Supportive Housing units, including those located at 226 Linden Avenue. Through this partnership, OMI extends its services beyond shelter into permanent housing environments, ensuring continuity of care and sustained stability.

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Through this coordinated model, OMI does not operate as a standalone shelter, but as a fully integrated housing system that connects emergency services, housing access, financial empowerment, and long-term support. The result is a structured pathway that moves individuals from crisis to stability while promoting independence, reducing reliance on public systems, and strengthening the overall community.

 

 

Program Purpose:

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To reduce homelessness and housing instability by providing coordinated access to shelter, housing placement, financial empowerment, and long-term stabilization services.

 

Target Population:

- Individuals experiencing homelessness (sheltered and unsheltered)

- Extremely low-income households

- Families at risk of eviction or housing loss

- Elderly and disabled individuals

- Working individuals with barriers to housing

 

Core Program Components:

1. Shelter-Based Entry & Stabilization

Provides immediate, low-barrier shelter and basic needs while assessing client barriers,

needs, and housing readiness.

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2. Housing Navigation & Placement

Supports clients in securing permanent housing through:

- Housing search and unit identification

- Landlord engagement and relationship building

- Application assistance and documentation

- Coordination with housing authorities and voucher programs

- Barrier mitigation (credit, income, rental history)

 

3. Homelessness Prevention Program

Prevents housing loss through:

- Eviction mediation

- Short-term financial assistance

- Budgeting and financial planning

- Resource connection

 

4. Re-Housing Savings Program  (aka Savings and Housing Program))

Clients participate in a structured savings model, contributing up to 75% of their income

toward housing costs. This promotes self-determination, financial accountability, and

long-term housing retention.

 

5. Hand Up to Housing Program

Provides direct financial assistance to address barriers such as retrieval of vital

documents, employment supplies, deposits, rent gaps, and move-in costs, ensuring

successful housing placement.

 

6. Transitional Continuum Access Model (TCAM)

Provides short-term bridge housing solutions when clients reach shelter limits but are

actively pursuing housing. Prevents service disruption and returns to homelessness.

 

7. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Collaboration

OMI is positioned to collaborate with Sanford Housing Authority to provide wraparound

services for families placed in Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units at 226 Linden

Avenue. Services include case management, financial readiness, employment support,

and housing stabilization.

 

8. Workforce Development & Financial Readiness

Supports long-term stability through:

- Employment readiness and job placement

- Partnerships with Americo and Gildan

- Financial literacy through First National Bank

 

9. Supportive Services Integration

Includes:

- Mental health and substance use referrals

- Medical coordination

- Transportation assistance

- Community resource linkage

 

 

Program Approach:

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The program operates under a Hand Up to Housing, low-barrier, client-centered model

emphasizing rapid housing placement, financial responsibility, and long-term self-

sufficiency.

 

Expected Outcomes:

- Increased permanent housing placements

​- Reduced homelessness duration

- Decreased returns to homelessness

- Improved housing retention

- Increased employment and income

- Increased client savings and financial independence

 

 

Program Impact:

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OMI’s Housing Navigation & Stability System delivers measurable, system-level impact by creating a clear and structured pathway from homelessness to permanent housing and long-term stability. By integrating emergency shelter, housing access, financial empowerment, and ongoing support services, the program not only addresses immediate housing crises but also reduces the likelihood of future homelessness.

Through this coordinated approach, OMI significantly decreases reliance on high-cost emergency systems, including shelters, hospitals, and law enforcement, resulting in cost savings for the broader community. The program strengthens housing retention by equipping clients with the financial tools, employment connections, and support systems needed to maintain stability over time. OMI’s model also drives economic mobility by helping individuals transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. Through workforce development partnerships, financial readiness

programming, and the Re-Housing Savings Program - where clients contribute up to 75% of their income toward housing - participants build the foundation for long-term independence. By extending services into Permanent Supportive Housing through collaboration with Sanford Housing Authority, OMI ensures continuity of care for the most vulnerable populations, further reducing recidivism into homelessness.

Ultimately, OMI’s system does more than provide housing - it transforms outcomes. It stabilizes individuals and families, strengthens communities, and creates a sustainable model that reduces homelessness while promoting long-term economic and social well-being in rural North Carolina. One-Line Summary: OMI’s Housing Navigation & Stability System provides a full continuum of care from shelter to permanent housing through navigation, financial empowerment, and supportive services, ensuring long-term housing stability.

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If you have any questions regarding OMi's Housing Navigation & Stability System reach out to Outreach Mission, Inc. Executive Director, Laura Spivey.