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The Turning Point Rural Housing Project began in March of 1999. After the initial three year grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the grant has been renewed annually. Turning Point provides transitional housing for homeless households in nine northeast Iowa counties, including Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek. This is a 5,407 square mile rural area that becomes a challenge to serve simply because of its large geographic size.
During the 2006-2007 program year:
- 20 homeless households, made up of 20 adults and 41 children were assisted by Turning Point.
- 75% of the program participants experienced domestic violence before entering Turning Point.
- 77% of the households entered with incomes at poverty level or below. For a mother and one child, poverty level is a monthly income of only $1,069.
- 96% of participants were permanently housed at exit (did not return to homelessness)
- 83% of participants were employed within 90 days of program entry.
- 77% of participants increased household income at exit.
- 96% of participants gave back to the community by doing volunteer
Each year the program must provide approximately $50,000 in local matching funds to receive $254,249 of federal funds. For a small rural agency this requirement becomes an annual challenge. Fundraising and grant writing have become a necessity, resulting in four dollars of federal funds for every one dollar generated locally. The positive results of the program demonstrate that it is a good investment.
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