Interfaith Social Services’ HomeSafe program prevents homelessness for hundreds of families each year.
The need for assistance is greater than ever
HomeSafe is currently serving a record setting numbers of people. In 2025, our Homelessness Prevention Coordinator fielded 1,923 phone calls for assistance from community members in need, a 77% increase compared to just 2 years ago. We have had to double the annual budget for the program to keep up with demand.
Unfortunately, due to major increases in energy, food and housing costs, many of our neighbors are in danger of losing their homes. They are having to make life-threatening decisions about paying rent or utility bills or paying for medications. They are facing evictions at an increasingly alarming rate.
How HomeSafe prevents homelessness
When clients reach out for help, our Homelessness Prevention Coordinator conducts an assessment to determine if a housing emergency exists. We offer information on tenant rights and the eviction process (should it come to that). We educate about other community resources that may help in meeting family budget shortfalls such as community food pantries, fuel assistance programs, SNAP benefits, childcare subsidies and the public housing application process.
If a housing emergency does exist and sustainability is evident, the client must complete an application and submit documents to prove residency, income, family composition and past due balances. Then we communicate with clients and landlords to negotiate and advocate for reasonable repayment plans that preserve tenancy while being as financially responsible as possible to make each dollar we spend stretch to help as many households as possible.
Your donations have a tremendous impact
These are a couple of clients who have recently received assistance from HomeSafe:
Ms. R. is a teacher and mother of two teenagers. Her husband abandoned her and the children two years ago. She was suddenly left to care for, support, and maintain her family alone. They downsized from a house to an apartment. She clipped coupons and shopped in thrift stores. Although she was doing everything to stretch her meager salary, the sudden loss of income was financially devastating. She fell behind in rent and received an eviction notice. She was living paycheck to paycheck and couldn’t make any payment towards her arrears. Her landlord informed her this if she couldn’t pay off all arrears, the eviction would be executed against her.
Interfaith was able to fully resolve the debt which allowed her family to maintain their housing. Ms. R has expressed her deep gratitude assuring us that someday, when she is back on her financial feet, she will seek out an opportunity to pay it forward to someone else.
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Ms. C. is a single mother of an elementary school-aged child and an infant. The baby was born with several health complications which caused Ms. C to take off significantly more time from work than anticipated. Unemployment benefits were minimal and ran out too soon. She fell behind in rent and was taken to housing court for eviction. She had since restarted work and even picked up a side job, but it was still not enough to pay her rent on time and pay down her arrearage in a manner that satisfied her landlord. They wanted her to pay all that she owed right away, or she was going to be out on the street. She was beyond terrified at the prospect of being homeless with an infant and a seven-year-old.
Interfaith was able to cover the lump sum she owed. When we called to tell her the news, she was so very grateful and relieved.
How you can help or receive help
Thank you for your sustaining support!