Under One Roof That Isn't a Shelter's

County leaders said that the program is especially important because it gets families out of the shelter system, which can strain the county budget more than getting them into housing immediately. Although no long-term studies have been done in the Washington region, an extensive study of thousands of mentally ill and indigent New Yorkers in 2001 found that the typical person required $40,449 worth of publicly funded services while homeless. When people were placed in housing with social programs, that figure fell by an average of $12,145.

In addition, local agencies have teamed up with the private sector to lessen the cost to taxpayers. Reston Interfaith received a $500,000 grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation to pay for the social service component of the outreach. Thai and his family received help with financial planning and budgeting.

Other than some unpacked trash bags that hold some of the family's possessions, the house looks as if Thai, Tran and their children, David, 10, Tiffany, 8, and Stewart, 5, have lived there for years. The furniture is donated, and family members have been able to integrate some of their belongings into the home.

Families go through a rigorous interview process to get into the program. They are screened for their potential to improve their lives and establish a solid foundation. Reston Interfaith runs eight other homes similar to the one that Thai and his family live in; some house people who are fleeing domestic violence or young adults leaving foster care.

"It's first-come, first-served, but we want to make sure that these are families that are going to work well in the program," said Margaret Melnik, the Thai family's Reston Interfaith caseworker.

The program, known as Housing OpportUnities Strengthens Everyone, is administered by grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and will help 34 homeless families in the county. In the Thai family's case, 30 percent of the household income goes to rent, while the family begins saving and planning for the future.

Families are eligible for the program if their income is less than 50 percent of the area's median income, in this case less than about $25,000 a year for a family of five. If the family's income reaches $51,500, Reston Interfaith will encourage the family to move on so another family can use the program. The Thai family could stay, however, and pay rent set at 30 percent of their gross income.

"We just wanted to work hard and do what was asked of us," Thai said. He said the most important thing about the experience was that his family stayed together. "We have been very lucky."