How Local Charities Helped this Family
In January 2024, the Salvation Army of the Midlands received a referral from The Sanctuary of Care and Keep Services about an elderly couple, aged 94 and 83, and their adult son, who serves as their caregiver. The family had been permanently displaced from their fully owned home due to a devastating house fire. Unfortunately, they did not have homeowner’s insurance and lost everything, with no means to rebuild or replace their belongings.
Initially, the Red Cross provided hotel assistance for two days. The family then pooled their fixed incomes to extend their stay for another month. Given their age, income, and health issues, there were significant concerns about their well-being, especially since they had to transition from not paying for housing to facing the current market rental prices.
After meeting with a Salvation Army Caseworker, the family received guidance on emergency housing vouchers and other local resources, along with a strategic plan and budget evaluation. The Salvation Army was able to provide funding for approximately one month of hotel accommodations. We then utilized funding from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Re-housing initiative to provide a security deposit, utility assistance, and three months of rental assistance, giving the family time to re-establish themselves.
Thanks to the support from the Salvation Army and the availability of ESG funding, the family is now stable and has avoided homelessness during a period of heightened vulnerability.