UPLIFT

A Housing Program
of
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The program provides temporary financial assitance from the District Councils and guidance from the Conference visitors to enable families to become self-sufficient.

The District Councils provide this service to their Conferences for the following reasons:

1. Conference may not have sufficient funds to meet a family's need.
2. Conferences may not be able to make a long-term commitment to a family.
3. By pooling resources conferences can assist more people.

Reasons For This Program

The cost of housing in our area puts an overwhelming strain on the budgets of low-income families. With our help, a family can:

1. Move up to adequate housing;
2. Stay off the welfare rolls;
3. Get off welfare.

In the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, where this program was first started in 1990, 115 families have completed the program, and 113 have been successful, a success rate of 98%! It helps reduce the number of tax users and increase the number of tax payers. Therefore it can help all of us.

Qualifications

A family must have a good prospect of becoming self-sufficient in one to two years, and must make a commitment to do what is necessary to help themselves.

How It Works

The family and Conference visitors completethe application form. The Conference approves the application and makes recommendations to the District Council Uplift Committee. This Committee reviews all applications and submits its findings and suggestions to the District Council. If the Council has the financial resources, a monthly check is sent to the Conference. Conference members work with the family on a regular basis to guide and assist them towards reaching the goal of self-sufficiency.

Assistance To Be Provided

Rent or mortgage subsidy (amount to be decided by committee) to be paid each month for up to one year. This time can be longer or shorter at the discretion of the committee. Payments to be made out to the landlord or mortgage company.

Parish Conference is to be responsible for other short-term assistance such as food, clothing and furniture, as well as any financial and family counseling that is required.

Program Funding

Parish Conferences partially fund the program by means of their annual District dues. The Central Council of the Archdiocese of Boston will fund $10,000 of the program for the District.

Latest update - October 4, 2009. We have removed the application from the site, because it was being downloaded by non-Vincentians. If anyone needs assistance, please contact your local conference, they will be happy to help you. Any Vincentians needing the application should contact District President Raymond Lapre.