A New Holiday Tradition
Here’s a story about what having a home at this time of year means for a mother and daughter who live in the Portland area:
Abby, who has a disability, joined the Housing Access Program in March 2024. A year prior, Abby and her daughter had to move out of their home because their housemate could not pay rent. Abby and her daughter found beds at a local family shelter. However, most Portland-area emergency shelters set time limits on how long you can stay. Abby and her daughter still needed a place to call home.
Once again facing houselessness, Abby and her support team contacted Community Vision. Because we were actively providing housing services to Abby, we were able to negotiate an extended stay with the shelter to keep Abby and her daughter safe while we searched for her new home.
In July, Abby and her daughter moved into a brand-new apartment. Thanks to the efforts of Community Vision and Community Warehouse, it is fully furnished. Abby says she is enjoying being able to cook at home. Her daughter is most excited about having her own room for the first time.
Abby said that this holiday season, she and her daughter are “looking forward to making things homier, decorating the house, and having family around.” She is going to “cook a duck for Christmas dinner; maybe biscuits and gravy too!”
They are finally starting the tradition of “getting a tree together to decorate.”
When asked what it feels like for her this year, Abby said, “It feels really different. I’m not really used to it. Feels good to have such affordable rent. A lot of people, especially on the streets, need to have somewhere to call home.”
Your Support Matters
We are trying to raise $15,000 by the end of the year. We’ve raised $10,000 so far!
Your donation will allow us to assist people like Abby and her daughter find a place to call home for the holidays.
Your financial support lets us make housing and independence a reality for the people we support. We work one-on-one to address some of the many barriers to housing people with disabilities encounter:
- Help people navigate confusing paperwork and learn how to be a tenant.
- Pay expensive fees and security deposits. Many people with disabilities live on just $943 a month and do not have money saved for move-in expenses.
- Cover the cost of furnishings, so people have a dignified place to sleep, sit, and eat in their new home. These are necessities that everyone should be able to access.
These are necessities that everyone should be able to access.
