Mission: Under 1 Roof provides permanent supportive housing and support services to homeless and low-income individuals and families in our community.
Vision: Our vision is a community where everyone has safe, affordable housing, and the tools to become self-reliant.
History: Under 1 Roof (U1R) has been providing housing support in Dallas and surrounding counties since 2011. Today, Under 1 Roof offers a continuum of housing programs and support services designed to assist homeless families and individuals with getting back on their feet and achieving self-sufficiency, resulting in a better future. We partner with nonprofits that share our mission to provide homeless and low-income families and individuals with the most innovative and impactful services available and introduce them to a network of community resources that promotes ongoing success.
Programs
Under 1 Roof programs work in harmony to create a continuum of services and referrals to low-income individuals and families – with a focus on single mothers and children:
Supportive Housing- Combines affordable housing with social services to help individuals and families cope with the challenges they face each day and obtain self-sufficiency. Under 1 Roof provides housing support while clients work toward self-sufficiency by maintaining employment, improving their education, and attending training sessions on employment, community living, budgeting, and other practical life skills.
Rapid Rehousing – Intervention designed to help individuals and families exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Under 1 Roof assists households in finding and securing housing, providing case management and referring clients to a network of community resources. Services provided are client-directed.
Rent and Utility Assistance – Under 1 Roof schedules “assistance” opportunities for Dallas, Collin, and three neighboring counties. Residents apply for emergency rental and utility assistance. Applications and guidelines are available online at www.under1roofdallas.org/intake and can be accessed and submitted anytime during the month.
Professional Case Management Services: Case managers work one-on-one with U1R clients, assisting with basic needs, promoting work stability, and encouraging higher educational attainment. They help clients create and implement a plan for success and introduce them to a network of community services, including job training and placement, a social enterprise system, family and youth programs, childcare, and substance abuse treatment.
Legal Education and Services - Quarterly legal workshops, individual face-to-face meetings, consultations, and representation in court are available.
Transportation – Bus vouchers are distributed as needed.
Clients- All U1R clients live below the federal poverty line, according to Dallas Health and Human Services (DHHS). 50% of U1R clients are families, 78% are African American, 60% are female, and almost half are children or youth. In 2021, Under 1 Roof served 503 households comprised of 979 total individuals, including children.
Our Needs
The majority (90%) of Under 1 Roof clients are single mothers with children. They are hourly workers and have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 closures. This vulnerable population needs both financial and emotional support to reduce an increasing potential for abuse or neglect.
Under 1 Roof requests funding to assist new and existing clients with ongoing financial needs such as rent and utilities, internet access, basic needs, including food, cleaning and hygiene products, baby items if needed, and activity packages to keep families physically and mentally healthy. We also want to ensure children have the tools necessary to meet education requirements, such as tablets and ongoing tutoring support.
Under 1 Roof case management team is currently check in with clients via teleconference, emails, and texting as an alternative to their one-on-one in-person meetings with clients. We have found that some critical areas, such as observing the current home environment and social-emotional state of the family, cannot be accomplished over the phone. Zoom software accessibility with multiple users would help with more frequent visual assessments. Additional access to Under 1 Roof's client management database for offsite input of data would allow staff to retrieve current information to review client status. Since COVID -19 the demand for financial assistance ( rent and utility) demand has increased. Due to the pandemic U1R currently created our first virtual walk-in social service online program to ensure U1R continued service to the community.