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The Path to a Permanent Home
Success coaching partners with families to remove barriers
Freedom House Ministries is working harder to help families secure permanent stability. This process can be successful and challenging at the same time.
Many parents have income below living-wage standards, past evictions or poor credit. Some have broken cars, mental health issues, or no support from friends or family. Families need more than applications for housing and keys.
Families need personal help to succeed long-term. We don’t see housing readiness as a test families must pass. Instead, it’s a team effort. Challenges are faced together by focusing on a family’s strengths. It’s important to educate on available resources and build a real plan for the future.
One important first step is helping families develop a “housing packet.” This includes items such as valid IDs and driver’s licenses, birth certificates, and Social Security cards. The packet also includes proof of income, benefit letters and health insurance paperwork.
Housing opportunities often come and go fast. Being ready helps to avoid missing deadlines and losing chances.
No two families need the same guidance. One parent might need to remove an eviction judgment or write a letter to a landlord. Another might need help finding childcare or a ride to work. Most families work to create a better budget so they can afford market-rate rent.
Parents and children with trauma or mental health issues often need steady support both before and after moving into housing. Our programs are changing to meet these different needs. Instead of one-size-fits-all classes, Freedom House uses a personalized approach. Based on family goals, parents get specific help with:
- financial coaching
- job planning
- tenant rights
- childcare
- landlord meetings
- move-in costs
We also help families apply for affordable housing and waitlists for subsidized housing units. Because government aid is finite or unreliable, being income stable is very important.
Having paperwork prepared and responding quickly avoids delays and helps families find a home that fits their budget. Staff and families often work together to build creative solutions.
One unique support example offered to families, is the creation of the Barrier Removal Fund this year. This Fund offers quick financial help when a small problem arises. Through resident feedback, it became apparent that small financial issues often stops a family from making progress toward housing.
This fund can cover things like car repairs, documentation fees or a security deposit. With these funds available to families, a small financial issue won’t slow the progress of securing permanent housing or employment. Parents can continue going to work and communicating with a landlord.
Removing any type of issue at the right time helps protect the bigger goal: a stable home.
Families may also need legal help to correct evictions, past debt or custody issues. Success Coaches connect parents with Wisconsin Law Help and Legal Action of Wisconsin. In addition, families receive funds from the Barrier Removal Fund to secure documents needed for IDs, which are needed for employment and housing.
Real stability is more than fixing one problem. Families often need help creating daily routines and schedules. This improves communication and relationships with schools, doctors, landlords and employers. Helping families stay connected reduces loneliness and makes it easier to handle future problems.
As Freedom House grows, measuring success is changing. The result is when families receive their housing keys. Fellow residents, staff, volunteers and community members celebrate. It’s a time to look at the difficulties overcome and success built. Parents and children have come to realize their capabilities and smile knowing they can achieve more in the future.
As an organization, our main question is no longer just, “Did this family leave the shelter into housing?” It is, “What will help this family find a home, keep it, and build a stronger life?”
Ultimately, success is about the steps that keep parents and children safe and stable.
