A Little Bit of Help Goes A long Way

A lack of affordable housing impacts all sorts of people in different ways. For many families in the Lehigh Valley Area the lack of affordable housing has placed many families on the brink of homelessness. Racheal and Roberto were no exception to this housing crisis. They came to us with two beautiful children in the summer. Rachael had worked at a local hospital as a medical coder before become a stay at home mom when her second child was born. Roberto had stable employment with a local grocery chain and was able to afford the three bedroom home that they rented. Like most families, money was tightly but the couple was managing.

When the COVID-19 crisis came it disrupted incomes for thousands in the area. Roberto lost his job of nine years due to covid-related layoffs. On top of that the the home that Racheal and Roberto had been renting for the last five years was getting ready to be sold. As they scrambled to look for a new rental place they were shocked that the cost of rent had gone up. The couple was unable to find affordable housing within the time frame given to them, and had to stay at a local campground in a tent while the search for a new home and a new job continued. Racheal also began job searching to help support the family. Roberto was able to secure employment, but housing remained an issue. A coworker told him about Family Promise. Since enrolling in FPLV Racheal secured a job, and Roberto was hired full time from his temp job. With the help of Family Promise they were able to save money and find an apartment they can afford.

“Family Promise was there when we were going through a difficult time. We ment many wonderful people who helped us and kept us from living on the street.” Savannah, their oldest daughter is excited to move into their new home.