Thanks to the program, 62 people are able to find stable housing and get off the streets

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Homelessness remains a problem in Grand Rapids that many are seeking a solution to. But a new report suggests a solution. One of those surveyed says it will save lives, including his own.

“I can’t thank them enough,” said Patrick Burnett, a Community Rebuilders customer.

Burnett and his partner were homeless for three years. He explained that he spent a while moving from couch to couch, then lived on the streets for about a year.

“I was always the one who carried everything, the blankets and my things and sometimes her things,” Burnett said.

One night, near Monroe Center, he received a message that initially made him skeptical, but later turned to hope.

“We were sleeping one day and we were … he heard, 'Hey, do you want a house or an apartment?'” Burnett added.

This voice came from a Community Rebuilders employee.

“Our primary focus is on housing,” said Vera Beech, executive director of Community Rebuilders.

She tells FOX 17 they have a program that helps get people off the streets quickly.

“Then we use that housing situation as a baseline and provide the supportive services they need or want during their transition into the new housing to really help them keep that housing long-term,” Beech added.

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Her organization's new report, “The Streets of Kent County Were Never Meant to Be Places to Live,” shows its success. The Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach program places people in stable housing for two weeks to a month.

Their report gave an overview of their work. From “Bridge Housing” to “Rapid Housing,” Community Rebuilders helped 62 people find stable housing within a year.

“Once we're able to accommodate people in that area, it stays pretty clear. So the idea is that you focus on the specific areas and then move on to another area,” Beech said.

Their first program focused on the Monroe Center area. Beech says they are expanding it to Veterans Park.

“One contact with a person on the street by a social worker who specializes in housing, one contact is enough to get that person to contact us and develop a housing plan,” Beech said.

Thanks to Community Rebuilders, Burnett is now beginning his second year in his new home.

“I've been working. I'm trying to get another job in addition to what I'm doing now,” Burnett said.

Community Rebuilders add that you don't have to be chronically homeless to receive their help.

If you would like to learn more about this organization, click here.

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