Shelter and Housing

The Billy Brumfield Shelter for Men provides shelter care for homeless men age 18 years and older. The Brumfield Shelter (in a non-COVID season) can house up to 52 men a night. We currently house up to 40 men per night. While at Brumfield, the men are offered opportunities to attend AA meetings and anger management classes. We also have a licensed counselor who offers group counseling sessions and is available for individual counseling via Zoom or phone as requested. Brumfield clients have access to other services offered by Stewpot, namely the Community Kitchen, Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, and the Opportunity Center. We also connect clients with primary medical care through St. Dominic Community Health Services, which is located in the first floor of our main building. Through our numerous partners, Brumfield clients are referred to mental health services, permanent housing assistance, and job opportunities.

Programs offered at Brumfield:

• Emergency Shelter
• Men can stay in the emergency shelter up to 4 nights per week. The Brumfield Shelter is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Intake begins at 4:40 pm (earlier in inclement weather). Emergency shelter guests are asked to exit the premises at 5:00 am.
• The shelter provides a safe and compassionate place for homeless men to spend the night, use shower facilities, and get a hot meal.
• Alcohol & Drug Rehab
• The Brumfield Shelter operates a substance abuse treatment program. The goal of this program is to prevent, reduce, or deter relapse of substance abuse or addictive behaviors. Men enrolled in this program can stay up to 90 days, although that is often extended to provide more support. During this time, they must find a job, save a portion of their earnings, and attend daily AA and NA meetings. Twelve beds are dedicated to this program.
• Special Needs Program
• The Brumfield Special Needs program serves men who are disabled and/or veterans. The program allows its residents a stable place to stay without the worry of being evicted until they work out a plan for adequate healthcare. We work with each resident to help obtain the government benefits for which they are eligible. Often, we also provide beds for men who are in medical recovery and cannot immediately return to the harsh conditions of the streets after a prolonged illness or surgery.

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Matt's House assists clients and families in finding secure housing, and to move that client or family toward long-term stability through providing referrals and offering supportive services. While at Matt's House, clients are expected to meet regularly with a case manager to determine a plan of action. The case management staff at Matt's House monitors and evaluates the progress of our program participants and provides information and referrals to other providers, including Stewpot's Rapid Rehousing Program, job readiness classes, and employment programs and opportunities. In addition, the staff helps guests to secure necessary documents such as I.D.s, and birth certificates. Through its extensive network of partners, Matt's House also provides life skills classes (budgeting, parenting, self-esteem, coping skills, encouragement), HIV/AIDS workshops, domestic violence awareness, hygiene classes (dental and personal) and special activities (makeovers, field trips, holiday parties, arts and crafts sessions, for example).

While at Matt's House, clients are provided meals, bedding, hygiene products, transportation, and childcare and school supplies (if necessary). Since Matt's House is a division of Stewpot, the women at Matt's House have access to other services offered by Stewpot, namely the Opportunity Center, Clothing Closet, After-School and Summer Camp Programs, and primary medical care through St. Dominic Community Health Services.

Matt's House is an 18-bed facility. When necessary, due to weather, Matt's House can add up to 10 overflow beds and cots. According to HMIS data, between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020, we assisted a total of 122 women and children. In order to be of the greatest help to our city and to our clients, Matt's House is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

• We provide clients with a 14-28 day stay while surrounding them with support services, according to need.

• Clients are referred to Matt's House from numerous sources, including other homeless service providers, social service agencies, churches, hospitals, law enforcement, and by word-of-mouth.

• Clients must exit the premises by 9:00 am and may return at 2:00 pm. Curfew is at 5:30 pm.

• A kitchen and laundry room are available on site

• Full meals are provided every night. Breakfast is provided Mon-Fri. On weekends, breakfast, lunch, and dinner is provided.

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A "home base for the homeless" during daytime hours, The Opportunity Center offers community resources such as laundry, showers, mail, and computer and phone access for men, women, and families. Outreach Workers are available on-site to connect clients with resources to help them with housing, employment, mental health services, and other specific needs. Visitors who come to the Opportunity Center must be homeless to receive services. The Opportunity Center also operates as an emergency shelter during the cold winter months. When it is 35 degrees or below, the Center is open 24/7 with a max capacity of 31 people.

Quick Facts:

• The computer lab is open to anyone and can be used for applying for jobs, food stamps, disability, social security printouts, and resumes.
• Showers are available to use each day from 7am-10am
• Monday is Toiletry Day-- clients fill out a form to request toiletry items that they need
• Clients can come get their mail Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am-10am
• Jackson Free Clinic comes every Thursday of the month to provide COVID and flu shots

Hours of Operation:

• Monday: 6am to 2pm
• Tuesday: 6am to 2 pm
• Wednesday: 6am to 2pm
• Thursday: 6am to 2pm
• Friday: 6am to 2pm
• Saturday: 6am to 12pm
• Sunday: 6am to 12pm

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The goal of Rapid Rehousing is to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness secure stable housing, while reducing the prevalence of people living on the street and in hotels. Rapid Rehousing will provide financial assistance to help with rent and utilities for individuals and families who are seeking to exit homelessness. Rapid Rehousing will not provide financial assistance to individuals with existing housing.

While enrolled in the Rapid Rehousing program, individuals will be paired with a Case Manager, Housing Navigator, and Outreach Worker. The Case Manager meets with the client every 30 days to assess needs, provide referrals, and help develop a plan to obtain stable housing. Housing Navigators assist the client with the process of finding stable housing, including the application process, lease agreements, and inspections. Outreach Workers verify that a client is homeless and connects the client with certain resources to help him or her get back on their feet.

Rapid Rehousing provides financial assistance for the first 3 months of rent, which can be extended on a case-by-case basis if the client is actively working towards exiting homelessness.

Rapid Rehousing currently operates two programs (these programs are subject to funding availability):

City of Jackson Emergency Shelter Grant: provides housing assistance for Jackson residents only

Continuum of Care: provides housing assistance for residents in Madison, Rankin, Copiah, Warren, and Hinds counties.

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Made possible by the Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021), the RAMP-ERA Program provides funding for eligible households that have trouble making timely payments of rent and utilities due to COVID-19.

To be eligible for RAMP assistance:

• Household income at or below 80 percent of the area median
• At least one or more individuals living in the household qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19
• Can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Eligible households may receive up to twelve months of assistance, plus an additional three months if Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) determines the additional months are necessary to ensure housing stability (subject to fund availability).

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