Home For Families

Unaffordable housing can have lasting impact for families, according to a recent study shared in the August 2024 policy brief from Children's HealthWatch. Families who have to move because of unaffordable housing are more likely to lose access to assistance programs such as WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits than children who stayed in place, according to the brief. Among 9,344 children, families who had cost-driven moves were 44% more likely to have had disrupted access to at least one safety net program (either WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid) than those who didn't move. Families with non-cost-driven moves were 15% more likely to have lost at least one safety net program. This is an important example of the critical nature of programs like the ones at HFF that help families stay in their homes. 🏡 You can readthe brief at this link: https://lnkd.in/g5yPhVBK #HFFCares

Electricity bills have been on the rise in recent years. But the Environmental Protection Agency is looking to help low-income households reduce their utility bills by funding programs that provide rooftop solar panels, batteries to store solar energy, and community solar farms, according to a recent story from NPR. Read more at this link: https://lnkd.in/eXyqa-UB

Each year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s (NLIHC) Out of Reach report looks at the housing wage, an estimate of the hourly wage a full-time worker has to earn to afford a modest rental home at HUD's fair market rent without spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. 🏠 According this year's report, Ohio residents need a housing wage of $20.81 to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. This means that someone earning the Ohio minimum wage of $10.45 an hour must work 80 hours to afford a two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent (FMR). In Ohio, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,082. Here in Columbus, we have the most expensive two-bedroom housing wage in state, at $25.04. You can read the report in more detail here: https://lnkd.in/gmwBM6cT As more Central Ohio residents struggle to make enough money to afford housing, the work we do at Home for Families becomes even more crucial. ✨ Consider helping HFF by becoming a Stability Partner today. Your monthly contribution, no matter what the amount, will make a huge difference in our ability to to provide transformative and lasting change for families and youth experiencing a housing crisis. 🌟 Learn more at this link: https://lnkd.in/gP9fgkT7

Affordable housing gets a boost in Reynoldsburg. https://lnkd.in/dyHKJNGw

"Home for Families is deeply disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to rule in favor of the City of Grants Pass in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which allows cities to criminalize individuals for sleeping outside when they have no alternative. Criminalizing homelessness is inhumane, and penalizes the most vulnerable in our communities who are already suffering." Beth Fetzer-Rice, President & CEO Home for Families. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dBjm6F-R

An eye opening read from the Coalition on Homelessness & Housing in Ohio (COHHIO). The gap between rent and wages continues to grow, forcing more families into housing insecurity and even homelessness. We can’t thank our HFF case managers and social workers enough for all they do to help families re-stabilize their lives and overcome the trauma of homelessness.  #HFFCares #HomelessnessIsSolvable #HousingForAll https://lnkd.in/dPui9zBY

As we collectively celebrate #Juneteenth, let’s be determined to build a society where all families have housing, financial, and educational stability. This recent study from McKinsey & Company Institute for Black Economic Mobility shows it may take decades to improve outcomes for Black Americans. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/er4G3bjK

HFF was honored to take part in the Stonewall Columbus Pride March and to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community!

Beth Fetzer-Rice, HFF’s President/CEO, joined the City of Columbus Zone In conversation and provided testimony in support of prioritizing #affordablehousing stock in our city. Learn why it matters here: https://lnkd.in/gEuq-kjU #hffcares

It’s #WelcomeHomeWednesday and we’re looking for people who believe every family deserves a HOME and who know that educational stability helps families THRIVE! Learn more about our open positions here: https://lnkd.in/gcz-g6_b