Hope House Family Navigation Program

MACAA’s Hope House Family Navigation program aims to support and empower families to reach their full potential. Hope House, in partnership with families, community service providers, and other local resources, provides coaching, education, and skill building. The program supports the development of social connections that promote resilience and break the cycle of poverty.

Hope House families participate in weekly coaching sessions and follow the cohort-based program, Navigating Thriving Futures, as well as maintain a healthy, clean, and safe home. Housing in Charlottesville/Albemarle and program services are provided—families pay a nominal monthly program fee.

To be eligible for the program, participants must:

• Be homeless or imminently homeless;

• Be a parent of dependent children in their custody;

• Be a resident of MACAA’s service area for at least six months;

• Work at least part time or be enrolled in a qualified post-secondary educational program;

• Possess the legal documents to work in the Unites States; and,

• Be free of criminal convictions.

Eligibility requirements

• I am a parent with dependent children in my physical custody.  

• I am homeless or am imminently going to become homeless.   

• I have been a resident of Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Louisa County, Nelson County or the City of Charlottesville for the past six months. 

• I work at least 35 hours per week or I am enrolled in a post-secondary educational program and work part-time.

• I possess the required legal documents to work in the United States. 

• I, any co-applicant, and any child/ren in my custody, are free from felony criminal convictions for any violence, assault, theft or destruction of property. 

• My children will be enrolled in school full time in the residential school district of my address and will attend school as required. 

Disqualifications

• Single person.

• No minor children in physical custody.

• Not homeless or imminently going to become homeless.

• Do not meet residency requirement of six months in area.

• Unemployed or unable to become employed (permanently disabled).

• Immigrant who cannot work legally in the United States.

• Felony convictions for distribution of controlled substances, child endangerment, domestic or other acts of violence; assault, theft or destruction of property convictions.

• Registered sex offender.

• Unable or unwilling to relocate to Hope House properties.

• Unwilling to enroll children in the residential school district associated with Hope House address (Some exceptions if children being served through McKinney-Vento).

• Any person involved in a situation of domestic violence with another applicant.

• Any person unable or unwilling to actively participate in classes or other activities associated with Hope House program placement.