Homebase for Housing

Mission

Homebase for Housing is a housing information and referral program dedicated to preventing homelessness and improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Dallas County and four surrounding Counties. Homebase for Housing has collaborated with local AIDS Service Organizations and other housing community based organizations to develop an extensive clearinghouse of information and referrals for housing options as well as other related supportive services.

Homebase for Housing

Services

  • One-on-one individual housing search assistance
  • Resource room available for clients with access to phone and computers
  • Access to housing search website
  • Referrals for housing and utility payments
  • Referrals to housing support agencies and financial assistance
  • Email set up, free to clients

Homebase for Housing Staff

Jefferlyn Harper-Harris

Jefferlyn Harper-Harris

Program Housing Director

Jefferlyn Harper-Harris comes to us with 7 years of direct experience in serving HIV/AIDS participants and a combined 15 plus years of work experience with vulnerable populations to include disabled adults, frail elderly, homeless adults and child welfare. She has worked in both, public and private sector entities and most recently, for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Additionally, Jefferlyn has worked as a quality improvement coordinator for Wisconsin’s largest managed care organization (MCO) advocating for member’s rights, assisting members in navigating through the fair hearing and appeals process and ensuring member retention. Also as a quality assurance surveyor for the MCO, she inspected community basedresidential facilities and assisted living facilities to ensure compliance with contract and state regulations. Her strengths include high standards of professional integrity in brokering services, a genuine passion for helping individuals/families in crisis and a keen ability to identify individual strengths and informal supports in an effort to help participants achieve self-sufficiency. Jefferlyn has a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a major in English.

Andrinika "Andi" Austin

Andrinika "Andi" Austin

Housing Specialist

Andrinika “Andi” Austin comes to Legacy with years of experience in various areas of social services. She is originally from Louisiana and is a graduate of Nicholls State University with a Bachelor’s in Arts and Humanities, minor in Psychology and Social Work. A strong background in mental health of 13 years, she has worked with several agencies to rehabilitate individuals with mental illness. In 2005 she started work in housing homeless and displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. There she found her passion in helping others. Throughout the years, she has worked with A Small World in the River Region of New Orleans working with children and adolescents with disabilities and psychological disorders. She has 10 years of experience at A Beam of Light, LLC providing home health services for disabled individuals. In 2010, she started a group of individuals that fed the homeless who congregated throughout New Orleans after local legislature closed the free mental health clinics throughout the parishes. In Texas, she has worked with Adult Protective Services with the Department of Family and Protective Services and Metrocare as a member of the Assertive Community Team providing intense case management. Currently Andi is a Housing Case Manager of the Master Leasing Program where she continues to pursue her passion. “If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

Master Leasing Program

Overview

Legacy’s Master Leasing program offers supportive permanent housing for individuals and families with a HIV/AIDS diagnosis, who additionally meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) income guidelines and definition of homelessness. The program goes beyond simply housing unsheltered clients to helping clients overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency.

© 2018 - Homebase for Housing - A Program of Legacy Counseling Center, Inc.