Housing stability
TRUE HAVEN aims to mitigate the effects of structural racism by fostering housing stability and supporting home ownership among people affected by incarceration, including those that have a family member incarcerated and individuals returning to the community from prison. We will partner with local organizations to provide increased access to low-interest home loans and down payment or rental assistance to participants needing financial support. All participants receiving these financial supports will engage in a comprehensive, milestone-based financial education program through the ULSC or Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) to learn how credit scores impact purchase power, financial terms in banking, managing unexpected expenses, preparation for an emergency expense, and developing habits to budget monthly spending. All participating organizations have agreed there will be accessing financial supports or leases or loans without considering family member’s or personal history of incarceration. We plan to support 1,400 individuals returning to the community from incarceration and/or their family members (i.e., spouse/partner, co-parent of a child, parent, sibling, or child) from these 6 neighborhoods. In addition, as part of its usual services, ULSC or NHS will also connect participants to job training and employment opportunities, as needed.