NRCA Annual Report 2021

"I HAVE A HOME!!" "I HAVE A HOME!!"

During the pandemic, Chad struggled to maintain his level of income. Since he

During the pandemic, Chad struggled to maintain his level of income. Since he

had never had difficulty paying his rent before, he didn’t know about the

had never had difficulty paying his rent before, he didn’t know about the

resources available to him. When he knew he wouldn’t be able to get caught

resources available to him. When he knew he wouldn’t be able to get caught

up on rent, he abandoned his apartment out of frustration and hopelessness,

up on rent, he abandoned his apartment out of frustration and hopelessness,

leaving it – as well as all his belongings – behind.

leaving it – as well as all his belongings – behind.

While receiving services to improve his mental

health and well-being, Chad was

While receiving services to improve his mental

health and well-being, Chad was

referred to NRCA’s

To Our House

program. By staying at To Our House, Chad’s

referred to NRCA’s

To Our House

program. By staying at To Our House, Chad’s

basic needs of food and shelter were provided, allowing him to concentrate on

basic needs of food and shelter were provided, allowing him to concentrate on

getting a replacement ID and finding a better job, tasks that proved to be

getting a replacement ID and finding a better job, tasks that proved to be

much harder during COVID-19. But Chad persevered. Once he was stable, he

much harder during COVID-19. But Chad persevered. Once he was stable, he

began to look for a new apartment.

began to look for a new apartment.

Chad was met with rejection after r

ejection from potential landlords. Though

Chad was met with rejection after r

ejection from potential landlords. Though

he had previously lived in the same unit for more than a decade, when he

he had previously lived in the same unit for more than a decade, when he

abandoned his apartment, his landlord had gone through the eviction process.

abandoned his apartment, his landlord had gone through the eviction process.

This blemish on his record prevented Chad from being approved for most

This blemish on his record prevented Chad from being approved for most

housing.

housing.

Fortunately, NRCA staff negotiated with the landlord and an apartment

Fortunately, NRCA staff negotiated with the landlord and an apartment

complex was willing to approve Chad if the rent owed to the pr

evious landlord

complex was willing to approve Chad if the rent owed to the pr

evious landlord

was paid, along with the security deposit. NRCA’s

Homeless and Housing

was paid, along with the security deposit. NRCA’s

Homeless and Housing

Program

was able to pay what was owed, as well as the initial-move in costs

Program

was able to pay what was owed, as well as the initial-move in costs

the landlord required with a high-barrier tenant.

the landlord required with a high-barrier tenant.

The day Chad moved into his new apartment he sent a text to his NRCA case

The day Chad moved into his new apartment he sent a text to his NRCA case

worker. “I have a home!!”

worker. “I have a home!!”

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