Nancy has three children that was staying at Coldwater House. She moved into permanent housing in February. In early March, we realized that her rent exceeded the fair market rent that HUD would allow us to pay for…so we were forced to start looking for another apartment for her.
Trying to find housing in the midst of a pandemic proved to be futile. After exhausting every housing option, we found ourselves with no place to move her to. She had already paid the break lease fee, and was nearing the end of her time in the rental unit. Needless to say, Nancy was very fearful and stressed about her living situation.
Once she ran out of housing options, and realized we wouldn’t be able to move her, the Mission reached out to the landlord and asked if she would be willing to negotiate a new lease; allowing Nancy’s family to get through this pandemic safely in her home.
After a few days of thinking it through, the landlord gracefully offered a new lease through the summer, and lowered the amount of rent by $500 a month. The landlord stated that she just wouldn’t feel right seeing a family homeless again, attempting to find suitable housing, while there is a global pandemic happening.
Nancy and her children were extremely relieved and thankful to say the least, to not be forced to move in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. They are all safe, sound and healthy.
