The goal of HIF is to provide assistance without a lot of red tape and to extend a helping hand that will keep people in stable housing or will give them an opportunity to get back on their feet. These are several examples of the kind of assistance that is provided by the Housing Industry Foundation.
Success Story 1
Clients are a married couple who also care for their 39-year-old physically disabled daughter. The unit where they were living was sold and they had to move. The husband is on social security and cares for the daughter, who is blind and has brain damage. The wife normally works, but was laid off recently and has been looking for work. She has an interview coming up. Their combined income will support the rent in the new apartment, but does not cover the unexpected move-in costs.
Success Story 2
A single mother of a four-year-old son works as a medical assistant and office manager. The doctor's practice was sold and she was laid off, but expects to be re-hired after the transition. In the interim, she has applied for unemployment benfits, but it will take up to four weeks to for benefits to begin. She has lived in the apartment for four years and has never been unable to pay her rent before. She is also enrolled in a scholarship program through HIP Housing, so that she can pursue her educational goals.
Success Story 3
This is an extended family. The grandfather, who is 74 years old, recently lost his wife. He was unable to maintain the rent on their apartment by himself and eventually lost it. He and his daughter and two granddaughters are going to be living together to share expenses. The daughter works two jobs as a security guard and the 23-year-old granddaughter works and will contribute. The other granddaughter is 14. With their combined income, they should be able to sustain this housing. Without this arrangement, the grandfather will have no place to go. They have contributed $1,100 towards the move-in expenses.
Success Story 4
Client, her husband, and two children have been in short-term transitional housing with Shelter Network for four months. Up until two years ago, they were a stable family with the husband doing well at his job in sales. Then the husband was admitted to the hospital with severe psychological issues and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His disease cost him his job, and eventually, after having run through their savings, the family was forced to move due to the inability to pay the rent. The wife found them a new rental home and he was put on medication. Apparently stabilized, he eventually found another job but the company he was working for closed and he was unemployed again. The family was evicted and entered the shelter. Since then it has become apparent that the husband is not stabilized and is not employable. The wife has been going to school. She found a part-time job at Macy's that is now full-time. They have agreed to separate and the two children will live with the wife. Her car recently broke-down and had to be repaired, plus she had to pay $400 to join the union. These additional expenses left her unable to pay all of the move-in costs. The rent will be affordable at only $650 per month.
Success Story 5
A single father with full custody of his one year old son was renting the masterbedroom in a home that went into foreclosure. He is enrolled in HHAA (Helping Homeless Addicted to Alcohol) and recently found full-time employment witht he VA and will be able to make rental payments after assistance with the deposit.
Success Story 6
Client's apartment and persoanl belongings were destroyed in a fire. The Red Cross assisted with clothing, food and temporary lodging. He has secured a rental unit, paid the security deposit and one month's ren, but needs assistance with the second month. Friends and family are helping with clothing and household goods. Client works and will be self-supporting thereafter.
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