Bridging the Housing Gap
Dominque Metts was unemployed, out of food and about to get evicted. She went to eight different churches looking for rental assistance but came up empty. Her lifeline came when a temp agency helped her land an interview with The Salvation Army of Wake County. Dominque had experience helping victims of crime find housing and the Army was looking for a housing specialist. She was on her second round of interviews when she visited The Army food pantry in need of groceries.
“I told the crisis manager who was helping me, I’m unemployed, I actually applied for the housing specialist job opening here. I hope I hear back. Needing that help was embarrassing for me but humbling at the same time.”
When Dominque landed the job, she vowed never to forget her own experience. As part of the Wake County Army social services team, she helps shelter residents and drop-in guests navigate the difficulties of finding housing in a market where affordable housing is scarce and rates for a two-bedroom apartment can range from $100 to $1800 a month.
“As I’m calling landlords and speaking to property managers to say, ‘Hi, my name is Dominique, I work for The Salvation Army’, I say it with so much pride because I’ve experienced what it was like to be on the other side needing help. And I remember how respected I was treated. How respectful the staff was, how respected I felt.”
Dominque’s housing specialist position was created to help streamline the housing process for clients and mediate client/landlord relations. It is funded by a Bridge 2 Home grant from Wake County Human Services.
Wake Army Social Services Director Stephen Gruver says with case managers busy helping clients with employment, benefits, medical needs, clothing, and so many other services, it limits their time to locate available housing options. The housing specialist role fills that gap and shortens the time clients stay at the shelter.
“Having a dedicated housing navigator allows us the ability to develop and maintain landlord relationships. This helps us streamline a client’s pathway toward housing and offers them the greatest chance for success.”
What Dominque says she enjoys most about her job is the daily collaboration, push up your sleeves, can-do spirit.
“Everyone on the social services team works together to meet client needs—emotional, physical, and spiritual. We all come to the table to find solutions and resources for people in the community who really, really need them.”
Part of the job requires quick, creative solutions like when a family of five showed up at the shelter in an Uber with the meter running desperate for services.
“We housed them as drop-in guests for the weekend and then as part of a diversion program, managed to work with a relative to get them temporary housing. We were able to cover their transportation costs.”
No one imagines being in a shelter. Many arrive desperate, discouraged, and frustrated. Dominque tries to keep her clients focused on the positives.
“When they come in my office, they will say this is wrong, that’s wrong. I love to remind them of their strengths. You have customer service experience, you already have your GED, your credit score is growing. These are your strengths, let’s capitalize on them. I tell them I’m here to fight for you.”
Part of the job is high-fiving the wins, and some days drying the tears.
“I remind them tomorrow is a new day and new goals and new things to look forward to even when you think you are at your darkest. You have us here as your support. When I lay my head at night, I’m okay with my effort and my purpose for being here if every day I try my hardest.”