THE DACKKs Group Mission:

We believe that a stable home supports a stable life and that progressive independence helps develop potential.

We recognize that the indignity of homelessness stifles individual potential and creates an unnecessary burden on our communities.

Therefore, it is the mission of The DACKKs Group for Supportive Housing Development to expand the supply of affordable and supportive permanent and transitional housing for the homeless and special needs populations.


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The sole purpose of the DACKKs Group is to expand the supply of safe, decent, affordable and supportive transitional and permanent housing. The need for shelter is fundamental. Having a safe, decent and affordable place to live allows the homeless and people with special needs to focus on the other issues in their lives. The need for permanent supportive housing in the Bergen County community has been identified as one of its greatest needs and is best illustrated by Bergen County's Continuum of Care Gaps Analysis. We cannot meet the housing needs of the increasing number of the homeless now living throughout the county in shelters and transitional housing unless we can move people along the continuum to permanent supportive housing.

The founding members of the organization share a common belief that a stable home supports a stable life and that progressive independence develops potential. We are confident in our ability to demonstrate that affordable and supportive housing can be well-managed and well-maintained, that its occupants can be good neighbors and contributing citizens and that it has a place in every community.

WHAT WE DO

The DACKKs Group purchases, manages and maintains safe, decent and affordable housing to rent to people who are homeless or who have special needs. After purchasing a property, we perform any required repairs and improvements and furnish the units with new and used appliances, furniture and household items. The DACKKs Group acts as its own property management company to ensure that its properties are well-managed and well-maintained.

Although the DACKKs Group itself provides no direct support services, such services are integral to the success of our tenants. We work collaboratively with area social service agencies to identify prospective tenants, individuals who are able to live independently with some support. We also work with the referring agency by providing a safe, decent and affordable furnished home as well as a positive and interactive landlord-tenant relationship that reinforces the supportive services the agency provides.

Tenants are evaluated not for the ability to pay a particular rent but to consistently and responsibly pay rent and live independently. Each tenant pays thirty percent of their income- whatever their income is. As an example, an individual whose sole income is $634 monthly in Social Security Disability pays $190 per month in rent. The social service agency providing supportive services works with each individual to ensure they are gainfully employed, if capable of working, and/or receiving any benefits to which they may be entitled. If the tenant is eligible for and receives a housing subsidy, the rent is adjusted accordingly.

The Board of Directors has established a goal of acquiring at least one new housing unit each year. We have also established a long range goal of enabling home ownership for those tenants who are capable of the responsibility.

FUNDING

Our organization receives its funding from a variety of sources. We solicit donations through our fundraising activities which include direct mail and fundraising events. We apply to federal, state, county and private sources for grants and donations. We may also apply for low-cost loans to help finance purchases. Finally, we receive rental income from our tenants who pay thirty percent of their income- whatever that income is.

Because we rely heavily on the support and dedication of volunteers, after modest expenditures for administrative costs and fundraising expenses, we are able to commit a large percentage of donations directly to purchasing, rehabilitating, furnishing and maintaining our properties.

During 2005-2006, we have received important funding from such sources as the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, the State Rental Assistance Program and the Domain Fund to 1) make much needed capital improvements –such as roofing, siding, windows and heating upgrades- to our DACKKs Group properties; 2) help offset the operating costs not covered by rental income; and 3) our capital campaign fund, to acquire new properties.

PROJECTS

Bergenfield. Our first property, a two bedroom condominium in a garden style apartment complex, was purchased in October of 2001 with private donations and financing. It required minimal cosmetic work and new kitchen appliances. The property was sold and replaced with the purchase of a two family home under the LINKs Project.

Rutherford. Our second property, a one bedroom condominium, also in a garden-style apartment complex, was purchased in March 2003 with private donations and financing. The unit required cosmetic rehabilitation and several kitchen appliances.

LINKs Project. In December 2003, we were awarded a federal Housing and Urban Development matching grant for the LINKs Project. LINKs is a permanent, affordable and supportive housing endeavor to serve people with disabilities who are homeless. It provides housing and supportive services to eight people - adults and children - at scattered sites throughout Bergen County in a mix of one and two bedroom apartments and two family homes. The HUD grant provided partial funding for the acquisition, rehabilitation and operating expenses of acquiring and maintaining five properties as well as subsidizing supportive services. The DACKKs Group committed to providing the required matching dollars for this grant and has met that commitment with the help of the Bergen County HOME Program, The Domain Fund, private donations and low-cost loans. Referrals to the LINKs project were accepted from community social service agencies as well as from emergency shelters and transitional facilities for the homeless. Each of the properties is fully rented.