Lisa

Lisa first connected with Housing Forward more than seven years ago. At the time, she and her partner were struggling with substance use, which led to the loss of their jobs and, eventually, their home. With nowhere else to turn, they came to Housing Forward, staying in the Emergency Shelter before moving into an apartment of their own.

For a while, life seemed to be getting back on track. But the stability didn't last. Lisa made the difficult decision to get sober. Her partner did not. As his addiction worsened, the relationship became abusive, and Lisa knew she had to leave.

"I got so tired of it," she recalls. "In the process of all that, I lost everything. My grown children stopped speaking to me."

Starting over wasn't easy. After leaving the relationship for good, Lisa returned to Housing Forward, where her case manager helped her transition into the Rapid Rehousing program. While waiting for permanent housing, she spent 14 weeks in the Emergency Shelter and worked as a home health aide, carefully saving money for future rent payments.

With the support of her case manager, Lisa was able to secure an apartment and receive a rental subsidy that made it possible to rebuild her life.

Today, Lisa has maintained her sobriety and is focused on creating the future she once thought was out of reach.

"I really loved it. I still love it every day now," she says of her apartment. "Here I was able to get my head on the right way, [as] it should have been."

Having a safe, stable place to call home gave Lisa the foundation she needed to heal, make healthier decisions, and reconnect with the people she loves most. Today, her children are back in her life, and one of her greatest joys is being a grandmother.