A project of the North Carolina Housing Foundation (NCHF). thesecucommons.org
The SECU Commons Fact Sheet
What is the purpose of The SECU Commons?
The SECU Commons proposes a new model for offering vulnerable populations the basic needs for: 1) daily living; 2) guidance toward healthy, productive lives; and 3) tools for self-‐sufficient futures. The SECU Commons will employ a strategy of offering education and supportive housing to help people achieve:
• Permanent housing • Employment or financial self-‐sufficiency • Becoming a net CONTRIBUTOR to community services rather than a net CONSUMER of community services
Who will The SECU Commons serve?
Three populations in Forsyth County have been identified as being at high risk of becoming homeless:
• Homeless families with minor children (Winston-‐Salem/Forsyth County has over 160 families annually) • Youth aging out of foster care (approximately 15 young adults in Winston-‐Salem/Forsyth County annually) • Self-‐sufficient autistic young adults, which studies indicate that almost 60% have never held a job two years after high
school (500 adolescents and young adults, ages 15-‐24, in Winston-‐Salem/Forsyth County have ASD challenges)
Many are eligible for short-‐term assistance, but there is no continuity from immediate “emergency” help to longer-‐term residence and life/employment training. The SECU Commons will fill a void by helping transition people in these three populations into permanent housing and self-‐sufficiency.
Where is The SECU Commons located?
The SECU Commons is located at 2351 Felicity Circle, Winston-‐Salem, NC 27101. This 16-‐acre campus off Old Greensboro Road is five minutes from downtown, accessed via Business 40, and served by existing bus routes. Four acres of the site are developed with 41,000 sq. ft. of existing space, including the following:
• 13 2-‐bedroom condominiums (1,200 sq. ft. each) • 1 1-‐bedroom condominium (900 sq. ft.) • 1 4-‐bedroom condominium (2,400 sq. ft.) • A multi-‐purpose building with 20 bedrooms with private
bathrooms • 2 multi-‐bedroom stand alone houses
• A conference center with training rooms (4,800 sq. ft.) • A medical building with 9 private offices • An office building with 10 offices • A commercial kitchen • An occupational training workshop (1,800 sq. ft.) • Gardens and walking trails
How will The SECU Commons work?
Property Operations – The NCHF will own, manage and maintain the campus.
Resident Recruitment – Referral agencies will pre-‐quality residents. NCHF’s on-‐site management team will meet with potential residents to:
• Identify services they qualify to receive • Investigate additional help they may need • Assist candidates in completing paperwork necessary to qualify for benefits • Prepare candidates for agency interviews to request benefits/services
A project of the North Carolina Housing Foundation (NCHF). thesecucommons.org
Once invited to live at The SECU Commons, NCHF on-‐site team will ensure each resident:
• Fulfills supportive housing requirements • Attends executive function skill classes • Utilizes credit counseling services • Formulates initial education/career plans
Programs and Services – A coalition of partner agencies – Goodwill, Youth In Transition, iCan House and the United Way – is planning and will deliver programming. Drawing on its long history of training success, Goodwill will provide programming leadership and coordinate services and programs provided by all participating non-‐profit organizations.
How will The SECU Commons be sustained financially?
Several key elements provide the structure by which The SECU Commons will remain financially self-‐sustaining.
• Property and facilities owned debt-‐free – Due to the success of its capital campaign The SECU Commons campus will be owned by the NCHF with no debt.
• Residential rent – Residents of The SECU Commons will pay modest rent, which will vary based on circumstances and the residence they occupy.
• Resident business revenue – As part of their workforce training and preparation, various small businesses that leverage campus resources – commercial kitchen, workshop facilities, etc. – are planned. Revenue generated will revert to The SECU Commons.
• Fundraising – An on-‐going development effort, managed by The SECU Commons and the NCHF will occur to ensure appropriate funding is maintained for program success.
