New Hotline for Housing Assistance Goes Live in Wake County

For Release: Sept. 14, 2020

New Hotline for Housing Assistance Goes Live in Wake County

Finding help during a housing emergency just got a lot easier for Wake County residents. Instead of trying to locate housing resources on their own or calling multiple agencies for assistance, they can now call one phone number for any urgent housing needs.

Developed through a partnership between Wake County and the Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness, the House Wake! Access Hub is now the first step in connecting those experiencing a housing crisis with options that meet their specific needs.

“For many, homelessness is a symptom of an even greater underlying problem,” said Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson. “The House Wake! Access Hub will not only help our most vulnerable residents get off the streets into a safe place to live, but it will also link them with the resources they need to address other issues such as unemployment, poor health or addiction.”

Those needing assistance can call 919-443-0096 or email HW_AH@partnershipwake.org. Both are currently monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. with Access Specialists on hand to offer help and gauge individuals’ needs.

The Access Hub is a housing switchboard managed by the Partnership and funded by Wake County. Five full-time staff have undergone homeless management, call center and diversion training to successfully help every caller. The hub runs like a triage system where the specialists quickly identify the callers’ needs and connect them with the services that best address their current situations.

“That first call is so important in establishing trust and support for those needing help,” said Wake County Housing Affordability and Community Revitalization Director Lorena McDowell. “It can be an emotional moment when they reach out to us – maybe because it’s the first time they’ve asked for help and really don’t know what their options may be. This service will ensure they receive accurate information and get the help they need quickly.”

The House Wake! Access Hub is a more efficient approach to homeless crisis response, because it:

• Helps move callers move through the system faster by identifying the right match for their needs;
• Keeps people from becoming homeless by offering prevention and diversion resources;
• Creates consistent communication with those calling; and
• Generates concrete data on what kind of assistance people in our community need.

“We focus on recognizing the unique needs of every individual we serve,” said Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness Executive Director Kim Crawford. “Instead of worrying about who to call, residents can now feel confident that this first step will be the right one to connect them with available resources. Help is just one phone call away.”

The Access Hub will operate separately from the House Wake! COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Program that Wake County is currently developing. More information on this program will be available in the coming weeks.