Susan[1] is is a 23-year-old single mother, originally from Texas. She served in the U.S. Army from 2008 until 2010, receiving a general discharge under honorable conditions. Since arriving in Atlanta in 2011, Susan has not had stable housing, and has resided at the Gateway (a homeless service center) and Mary Hall Freedom House (transitional housing).
She was referred to an AREC nonprofit partner by a HUD/VASH case manager with the Veterans Administration. At the time of her assessment at the VA, Susan had no place to call home. She receives some disability income connected to her military service, and works parttime. However, due to her limited monthly income and no support system in place, Susan needed assistance in order to move into permanent housing. It was obvious that without Project Community Connections, she would remain homeless.
Susan was approved for a VASH housing voucher through the City of Decatur Housing Authority. Through the partnership between the nonprofit partner and the Atlanta Real Estate Collaborative (AREC), she was successfully placed in a two-bedroom unit at the Lakes at Indian Creek Apartments, a property managed by Lincoln Properties (also an AREC partner). The housing agency assisted Susan to locate this unit and provided short‐term financial assistance to help with connecting utilities and paying rent deposits. Susan has never had an apartment of her own before, and is now happily looking forward to making a home with her 4-year-old daughter.
[1] Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
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