Ultimately, Housing Opportunities isn’t about houses – it’s about
equipping individuals and families with the skills and opportunities they need to create a good life in a place called home. Our clients’ stories are our best gauge of success.

Linda's Story

"I was on the waiting list for a year to obtain permanent housing through Housing Opportunities. I suffer from anxiety and depression. In July an apartment came available and I was able to move in along with my 4 children, ages 1 through 14. This came just in time as we had been living in my van for 3 weeks having exhausted all resources with family and friends." In spite of this, she has kept her family together.

Linda works with her Housing Opportunities' case manager to set goals and move forward. She is a survivor and wants to improve her life and the lives of her children. She plans to obtain her GED and someday work on computers. She hopes to work for Job Corps. She is very passionate about that goal. She knows there will be more bends in the road ahead, but she is tough. Linda is grateful for where she is now. She says, "first it was a place to live, now it's home"

Single mother of three

“In 2005 my husband and I separated….within a few short months I found myself jobless, homeless, one credit short of finishing my nursing degree – and my daughters were living with their Dad because I couldn’t provide shelter for them.

Things started to look up when I…was encouraged to apply to Housing Opportunities. Since joining the program, I have worked on creating stability and security for my girls and myself — something none of us had ever really had. I finished my nursing program and [now work] for a long-term care facility with better pay, hours and benefits.

Now that I am able to earn enough to provide for my girls on my own, I feel the time has come to move on and allow Housing Opportunities to help someone else.”

Determined parents

With three kids, including one autistic child, Michael and Autumn have always worked hard to provide for their family. Even though they were life-long renters, they applied that same determination to acquiring a permanent home. Unfortunately, even after a year-long seach they were stymied in finding a suitable house that they could afford.

Then they enrolled in Housing Opportunities’ First Time Buyers Class. Now the family is watching their brand new home being built from scratch. Thanks to assistance from Housing Opportunities and through another organization, their monthly payment, which includes taxes and insurance, is just a bit more than their previous rent.

Autumn said she is “excited to have that American dream that everyone talks about,” and couldn’t have done it without Housing Opportunities.

A woman with a mind to succeed

The phrase “You can accomplish anything if you work hard and put your mind to it” describes Markita perfectly. A little over a year ago, Markita’s situation at home became intolerable. She decided to leave and find a better life for herself and her three children.

After a stay in a homeless shelter, Markita and her children came to Housing Opportunities and joined the Permanent Housing Program. She learned how to manage and save money, pay bills and live independently. Today, she and her children are enjoying a home of their own – and Markita has even gone back to that homeless shelter, this time to serve on their Board of Directors.