Rebuilding Individuals provides temporary subsidized housing for qualified families who have successfully completed the IHN program. Its goal is to help families build a foundation for maintaining permanent housing. Families meeting the eligibility criteria who enter the RBI program agree to case management, including a budget analysis and plan as well as life-skills training.

RBI, which started in 2006, is currently being funded through churches and individuals as private foundations and agencies in Grand Rapids are working on plans to partner with us. Since its inception, the program has helped 15 families, paying more than $24,000 toward monthly rent while the families paid just over $9,400. The average time in the program was 4.75 months, and 13 of the families remain in their housing.

Beyond the Facts

"Without the RBI program and the support of the IHN staff, I would have lost my housing and would not have been able to finish school. They were there for me when I had my accident and I will always be grateful."

Jessica and her three young children (ages 1, 2 and 6) entered IHN in late spring, while she was working part-time at a fast-food restaurant. She found a second job and then signed up to start cosmetology school in the fall. As she worked over the summer, RBI helped subsidize her rent, and her case manager worked with her on budgeting. She finished the program in August. Three months later, when an auto accident kept her out of work, RBI paid her December rent. Jessica is finishing school and will be moving into her own mobile home.