A Crisis at Our Doorstep: From Car to Home in 7 Days
April 2025, Tamya, age 21, arrived at IMPACT Community Action’s intake office exhausted, frightened, and living out of her car. She had just been expelled from her parents’ home, along with her 15-year-old brother. With no stable address, the school district warned that her brother would be suspended unless he found a stable place to live—an added burden that left Tamya feeling defeated and alone. Nevertheless, she was determined to keep her sibling safe and eventually gain legal custody of him.
Immediate Triage & Safety Planning
The Housing Navigator welcomed Tamya the same day and completed a rapid vulnerability assessment.
Leveraging Partnerships for Housing
Within one week, our navigator activated a standing partnership with a mission-driven property manager. The manager agreed to waive rigid credit criteria and fast-track an affordable lease. Tamya received keys that afternoon.
Keeping the Lights (and Heat) On
To protect her limited income, the navigator enrolled Tamya in our Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP), which locks utility costs at an affordable, predictable rate.
Long-Term Stability Plan
Housing Navigation Program Enrollment: Tamya is now set up to meet regularly with her navigator for case management, goal setting, and mentorship.
Church Referral: Her church and our team are working together to begin the process of gaining custodial rights for her brother.
Youth Services for Her Brother: Our Youth Services team is enrolling her brother in summer workforce programming, pairing him with a mentor, and securing a paid internship starting in June. This satisfies school residency requirements and provides positive structure in his life.
Early Results & Outlook
Seven-Day Turnaround: From homelessness to a secure apartment in just one week.
Rent & Utilities Secured: First month’s rent and deposit were covered through County ERA funds; ongoing utilities are capped at an affordable percentage of income via PIPP.
Holistic Support Pipeline: Housing, utilities, financial coaching, church support, and youth workforce services—all coordinated under one comprehensive care plan.
Why This Matters
Tamya’s story embodies the power of wraparound care:
Speed: A single, coordinated team eliminated red tape and moved her from crisis to stability in days—not months.
Partnerships: Our cultivated landlord relationships turned “no vacancies” into a safe home.
Whole-Family Focus: By investing in both siblings, we help break the cycle of instability for the next generation.
Sustainability: Ongoing mentorship and financial coaching help position Tamya to maintain her housing and build a stronger future.
Your Support Makes This Possible
IMPACT supporters, we celebrate Tamya’s resilience—made possible by your generosity in funding flexible emergency support, partnership development, and integrated programming. Her journey from car to keys in seven days reminds us why our mission matters and how strategic investment in wraparound services delivers life-changing results.
We invite you to donate to IMPACT Community Action today. Together, we can continue to change the lives of people like Tamya. Join us as we fight poverty by providing hope-inspiring help and real opportunities for self-sufficiency!
