Success Stories
Two Years and Thriving
In the fall of 2020 Angelica and her family were referred to Partners in Housing Solutions (PHS) for housing assistance. Angelica worked in agriculture for over 13 years and did freelance work on the side to support her five young children. Angelica became pregnant and experienced health issues; that only allowed her to work part-time. Unable to keep up with rent, she and her family became homeless. They moved into a local shelter in the spring of 2020 during the height of the pandemic, soon after, Angelica was infected with COVID-19 which prompted her to go into early labor. Once recovered, Angelica and her children returned to the shelter but were unable to stay long-term and became unsheltered.
Sophy’s Story
Last year, Sophy had plans lined up to move out of Santa Barbara County and start a new career. She gave her landlord notice and resigned from her job of many years. The week she was scheduled to move, her world stopped in an instant when she learned that her father was diagnosed with Cancer.
Success Story: Amy and Her Boys
In 2017 I suffered health complications which led me and my two teenage
boys into homelessness. Although I’ve worked for the same employer for
the past twelve years, I was unable to meet many landlord’s rental criteria.
Success Story: Chris and Drea
In 2015, I was met with the lowest point of my life. My children were in foster care, I was on probation, and I did not have a stable living situation or the credit to support my current issues from being resolved.
The Challenge and the Solution
The Challenge:
- Vacancy rates at less then 1% in Santa Barbara County
- One of the most expensive cities to live in the state
- Minimal government housing
The Solution:
To build and maintain a network of private landlords with trust at the core of these relationships, resulting in a private sector that is accessed and activated to show compassion to the less fortunate.