Frequently Asked Questions
Click a link below to find the answer to a specific question, or scroll down to read all FAQs.
When did Coburn Place open?
What is the history of the building?
How many apartments do you have?
How many women and children have you served?
What are the admission criteria?
How are women referred?
What is the admission process?
How long do the women and children stay with you?
What is the average length of stay?
What are the goals for the women in your program?
What supportive services do you provide?
Are residents allowed to have visitors?
Is there a curfew for residents?
Diversity of all Coburn Place residents (12/96-03/11)
Change in income and average length of stay of those leaving the program (12/96-03/11)
How are you funded?
What type of donations do you accept?
When did Coburn Place open?
What is the history of the building?
- Originally it was Henry P. Coburn School, I.P.S. #66.
- It became housing for people with disabilities in the 1980’s.
- Martin Luther King Community Development Corporation rehabbed the building, and it became Coburn Place Safe Haven in 1996.
How many apartments do you have?
- 15 one-bedroom apartments – houses a woman alone or with one child
- 15 two-bedroom apartments – houses a woman and up to 3 children
- 5 three-bedroom apartments – houses a woman and up to 5 children
How many women and children have you served?
- As of May 1, 2013 - 580 women and 942 children
What are the admission criteria?>
- All survivors must be homeless because of domestic violence.
- All survivors’ income must fall within Section 42 guidelines for low-income tax credit housing.
- All survivors must be able to sign a lease.
How are applicants referred?
- Emergency shelter staff
- Other service providers
- Police
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Friends and Family
- Self
What is the admission process?
- A woman completes and submits an application.
- If there is an open apartment to accommodate her/her family, she is called in for an interview to determine eligibility.
- If there is no open apartment, she is contacted and put on a waitlist, if desired.
- This process can take from a couple of days to a couple of weeks if not on the waitlist.
How long do the women and children stay with you?
- A survivor signs a six-month lease upon entering the program.
- After her first six months, she may sign another six-month lease; opt for a month-to-month lease; sign a one-year lease; or find permanent housing.
- A survivor may stay at Coburn Place for up to two years.
What is the average length of stay?
- 9.3 months for all residents (those leaving the program 12/96-03/11)
- 11.7 months for 2007-2011 residents (those leaving the program 1/1/07-03/20/11)
- Our data show that the longer a survivor remains in the program, the more success she has in attaining her goals.
What are the goals for the women in your program?
- To increase independent living skills
- To achieve a greater level of economic independence
- To obtain permanent safe housing
What supportive services do you provide?
- Individual advocacy
- Individual and/ or family therapy
- Individual and group economic education
- Childcare
- Financial coaching
- Court advocacy
- Employment readiness
- Job skill development
- GED tutoring
- Health/wellness education
- Business ownership training
- Substance abuse therapy
- Domestic violence support groups
- Comprehensive on-site children’s services
- Direct assistance for basic needs
- Follow-up services (3 months post exit)
Are residents allowed to have visitors?
- Yes, each resident has a visitor list, approved by her advocate.
- Male visitors are not allowed.
- Each visitor must be supportive of a resident’s goals.
- Visitors must show I.D., a copy of which stays on file.
- Abusers are not allowed on visitor lists or on the property.
Is there a curfew for residents?
- No, they are free to come and go as they wish, 24 hours a day.
Diversity of all Coburn Place residents (12/96-03/11)
- Average 32.3 years
- Youngest 18.3 years
- Oldest 58.5 years
- African American 313 (64%)
- Asian 4 ( 1%)
- Biracial 7 ( 1%)
- Hispanic 6 ( 1%)
- Other 9 ( 2%)
- Part Native American 5 ( 1%)
- White 148 (30%)
Change in income and average length of stay of those leaving the program (12/96-03/11)
- Increased 141 (31%) 13.6 months
- Decreased 130 (29%) 9.1 months
- No change with job 96 (21%) 6.9 months
- No change without job 89 (19%) 5.3 months
Destination and average length of stay of those leaving the program (12/96-03/11)
- Homeownership 7 24.0 months
- Unsubsidized rental housing 147 12.0 months
- Section 8 or other subsidized rental housing 55 11.3 months
- Moved in w/ family or friends- permanent 47 8.2 months
- Alternative supportive housing 15 7.5 months
- Moved in w/ family or friends (permanent or 24 7.3 months
temporary not tracked at that time)
- Moved in w/ family or friends- temporary 61 7.0 months
- Emergency shelter 12 5.7 months
- Unknown or disappeared 87 5.1 months
TOTAL 455*
*Not including one resident who died.
How are you funded?
- Individuals
- Civic Groups & Faith-Based Organizations
- Businesses
- Private and Family Foundations
- City of Indianapolis
- HUD’s Supportive Housing Program
- State of Indiana
- Office on Violence Against Women Recovery Act Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault
What type of donations do you accept?
- Cash
- Checks
- VISA & MasterCard (phone, mail-in, online)
- Please see our current Wish List
- New Linens
o Full & Twin Sheet Sets
o Pillows
o Blankets
o Towels & Wash Cloths
- New or Gently Used Household Items
o Sets of Dishes
o Silverware
o Pots & Pans
o Bowls
o Grocery
o Wal-Mart
o Target
o Walgreens
o CVS
o Microwaves
o Vacuum Cleaners
o Irons
o Toasters
o Cable Ready TVs, VCRs, DVD Players
o Computers 2 years old or newer
o Used Cell Phones
o Cleaning Supplies
o Batteries
ITEMS WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT
- Clothing
- Used Stuffed Toys
- Computers older than 2 years
- Candles
- Wine Glasses
