Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri is dedicated to helping people find and sustain a home.

Director of Housing Programs Cindy VanBuskirk walks through a room at the Rancho Temporary Emergency Shelter in Springfield. The shelter, originally intended for use during the 2020-2021 pandemic winter, is the former Rancho Motel, re-purposed to house homeless families and women in need of medical respite. PHOTO: John Farmer de la Torre/CCSOMO
We help those who without our help would become homeless
Many of our neighbors in southern Missouri have low-income jobs and live paycheck to paycheck. One financial setback, such as an illness or the loss of a job, can put them at risk of homelessness. Sometimes, a single month's rent or security deposit is all a family needs to overcome the crisis and regain stability in their lives.
Our mission is to help families and individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to achieve housing and financial stability.

CCSOMO Case Manager Jemmalee Anderson surveys another highway underpass in her search for unsheltered people. PHOTO: John Farmer de la Torre/CCSOMO
Housing Assistance
Eligible assistance includes rent and utilities assistance, housing stability case management, and financial counseling.
Eligibility
The Homelessness Prevention Program is available to those individuals and families who:
- Are at imminent risk of losing their primary residence
- Have a household income below 30 percent of their county's median income or the media family income for their area
- Lack the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
Rent and Utilities Assistance for Persons Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
CCSOMO is helping Missouri renters with applications for rent and utilities assistance from Missouri's State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR for Renters) Program.
Learn more about this assistance here.
Homelessness Prevention Services
Call your local Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri office to learn if we are able to provide assistance.
Greene, Christian and Webster Counties
Springfield
417.268.9998
Cape Girardeau County
Cape Girardeau
573.335.0134
Jasper and Newton Counties
Joplin
417.624.3790
Carter and Shannon Counties
Van Buren
573.323.4044
Mississippi and Scott Counties
Sikeston
573.481.0659
This program is partially funded through an Emergency Solutions Grant from the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC); and is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
