My Home
What are the things that need to be done to take care of a home? They include cooking, doing laundry, housekeeping, staying safe, and paying rent after choosing where to live.
Housekeeping
- Keep the refrigerator clean – check it weekly and throw out old food.
- Don't throw mail on the counter, sort between junk mail and bills and toss out what's not needed.
- Wash clothes weekly. Sort between dark clothes, jeans, light clothes and socks. Don't mix colors because they'll bleed.
- Store clean laundry right away to avoid mixing it with the dirty clothes.
- Keep dishes clean. Don't let them pile up.
- Dust and vacuum weekly.
- Change sheets weekly.
- Empty the garbage can when it's full and mark trash day on the calendar.
- Keep the bathroom toilet, shower and sink clean.
- Do not leave dirty items, old food, and garbage in any place other than the garbage can.
In-Home Safety
Safety
- Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
- Always know who is at the door before you open it.
- Never allow anyone you don't know into your home.
- Never tell anyone that you live alone or that you are home alone.
- Always leave a light on at night when you are away, especially your porch light.
- Attend a food handler's class to learn ways to avoid food borne illnesses.
Fire
- Make sure you have working smoke detectors.
- Change smoke detector batteries twice per year - when daylight savings time begins and when it ends.
- Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher that is appropriate for all types of fire.
- If you have gas appliance or heat, make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.
- Have a fire escape plan. Always have a backup plan in case your main exit is blocked.
- Avoid the use of extension cords, use surge protectors if necessary.
- Never use anything other than a properly rated fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire.
- Never wear clothing with loose fitting sleeves when cooking.
- Never leave your kitchen unattended if your stove is on.
Housing and Preventing Homelessness
Rental Help
Subsidized Apartments:
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps apartment owners offer reduced
rents to low income tenants.
To search for a subsidized apartment go to: www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=WV,%20West%20Virginia
Public Housing Program/Housing Choice Vouchers:
Public housing provides safe rental housing
for eligible low-income families, the elderly,
and persons with disabilities. Housing choice
vouchers are also available to assist very low
income families, the elderly, and persons
with disabilities with rent for a private
market apartment.
If you are interested in applying for public housing or a housing choice voucher, contact your local Public Housing Authority at: www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/wv.cfm
Experiencing Homelessness:
WVDHHR Homeless Program provides services for
individuals or families in immediate need of housing
and who have no income or means of obtaining
housing. Services include emergency shelter, food and
medical care.
To apply for Homeless Services, contact the shelter in county where you are located visit:
HOMELESS SHELTERS
Monongalia County: Bartlett House, Inc. (304) 292-0101
Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties: Community Networks Inc. - Bethany House (304) 263-3510
Ohio County: Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.
Cabell and Wayne Counties: Harmony House (304) 523-2764
Mason County: Southwestern Community Action Council (304) 675-1124
Randolph County: North Central West Virginia Community Action Association Inc. (304) 636-5193
Kanawha County: Roark-Sullivan Center (304) 340-3616
Raleigh and Wyoming Counties: Pin Haven - Stone Haven Shelter (304) 252-6396
Marion County: Scott Place Shelter (304) 366-6543
Kanawha County: YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter for Women, Children, and Families (304) 340-3562
Your County not Listed? Contact your local DHHR Office
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