Frequently Asked Question about the LifeLine Program

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The ultimate goal of the LifeLine program is to keep the children enrolled in their campus school without the interruption of school work due to homelessness.  The LifeLine program provides three months of apartment rent (in declining amounts) for homeless or near homeless families that have been referred to us by GPISD Connections Program. LifeLine also intervenes to prevent homelessness of these GPISD families who are at imminent risk for homelessness, often through eviction. LifeLine’s crisis assistance gives the parents time to re-group and resolve the immediate crisis that caused them to become homeless or near homeless. The majority of LifeLine’s families are acutely homeless, not chronically homeless. The LifeLine program is sufficient for most of our families to recover from an unexpected crisis that made them unable to pay rent. 

The LifeLine Program is completely free in terms of money; however, you are required to invest time for client sessions and casework to help you get back on track financially and emotionally.  

There are several requirements for the LifeLine Program.  You must first have a child/children actively enrolled in the Grand Prairie Independent School District and has attended classes for a minimum of 9 weeks.  You must receive a referral from GPISD.  You must live within the city limits of Grand Prairie.  You must either be homeless, or otherwise at risk of homelessness, such as through eviction.  You must be able to provide documentation of the circumstances that led to the present housing crisis.  You must be willing to work the program requirements and complete all casework.  You must have a legitimate source(s) of income sufficient to pay rent and other monthly expenses independently following the program. You must be fully employed, as well as any other adult in the household, unless enrolled in school full-time.  You must provide all documents necessary for admittance into the program.  You are not eligible is you are currently receiving Section 8 housing or other reduced housing assistance, or any other rental assistance through federal, state or local agencies or organizations.  For example, if you are receiving rental assistance from Grand Prairie United Charities you would not be eligible for LifeLine assistance.  Although this is not an exhaustive list of requirements, these are the primary requirements.

You must contact Sonnia Ortega, GPISD Connections Coordinator, with GPISD at 972.522.7060.  

You must have an appointment.  

You may call or email one of the LifeLine staff for an appointment.  Currently, we are working remotely due to COVID-19 and you may need to leave a message.  We are working with clients through Zoom meetings and phone calls.  We will return your phone call or email.  Contact Vivian at 972.237.5545, vivian@lifelineshelter.org or Melinda at 972.237.5546, melinda@lifelineshelter.org. 

In most cases, yes.   Sometimes the client is not ready for the LifeLine program due to various reasons but that does not mean they will not be accepted later. 

After meeting with your case manager and you've submitted all of the required documents, the case manager will let you know at that time.  

The LifeLine Program lasts for three months as long as you are meeting you casework and meeting requirements.

The primary documents required for the LifeLine Program include the completed online application,  signed rules and guidelines, referral letter from GPISD,  There are other documents required that the case manager will discuss with you in your first meeting.   

You can only receive rental assistance if we've received all of the required documents.  We will still be happy to help you with a job search, resume, interview skills, and other resources to help you find what you and your family need.