Karen and Morganne live in Cincinnati neighborhoods six miles apart. They don’t know each other but have some things in common.
They are mothers with children at home. They are hard workers. And they recently faced the grim possibility of eviction from their homes.
In Over-the-Rhine, Karen considered a heartbreaking question. “If I’m homeless, where’s my child going to go?”
In Winton Terrace, Morganne worried that her plans to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) would be derailed. “That’s the gateway to my future, and solidifying my kids’ futures, too.”
Both women fell behind on rent payments because of the demands of caring for their families. Karen attempted to help her sister’s family avoid homelessness. Morganne was working full-time, attending school full-time and caring for her two teens.
At United Way of Greater Cincinnati, we believe neighbors like Karen and Morganne deserve the opportunity to live in a safe and stable home. Through innovative programs such as Access to Counsel and the Renew Collaborative, we break down barriers to housing security and provide families with the tools and resources they need to have a home where they can thrive.
Access to Counsel Helped Karen Avoid Eviction
After Karen helped cover her sister’s rent, she came up short on her own payment. That’s when she called United Way 211, a resource and referral helpline. She learned she was eligible for Access to Counsel, which provides rent assistance and legal counsel to Cincinnati residents facing eviction. In addition to United Way, partners are the city of Cincinnati, which funds the program, and Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati.
Within two weeks, Karen’s rent balance was zero and she began to regain her financial footing. “It made a big difference,” she says. “To be able to have a roof over our heads, that’s one thing we don’t have to worry about.”
The Renew Collaborative Helped Morganne Stay on Track
As for Morganne, she was determined to continue her LPN studies, but that meant reducing her work hours. When she fell behind on rent, the property manager of her Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority apartment complex referred her to United Way.
United Way is the lead agency for the Renew Collaborative, an eviction-prevention pilot project replicated from a successful program in Boston. A program associate creates custom plans for families. That includes identifying the root causes of unpaid rent and providing ongoing services so families can remain housed and avoid future rental challenges.
Partnerships with property owners are key to the Renew Collaborative’s success. Property owners who invest in the program save time and money by working with families instead of pursuing eviction.
“This is the opportunity I needed,” Morganne says. “I’m grateful for the roof over my head.”
In our region, housing costs eat up an inordinate portion of many people’s paychecks, and evictions disrupt thousands of lives and our entire community. To learn how United Way is improving housing security in Greater Cincinnati, click here.
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