In our prosperous community of Halton, it is easy to overlook the silent struggles of single-parent families teetering on the edge of homelessness.
Home Suite Hope, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of these vulnerable families, offers a beacon of hope. By providing not just housing but a comprehensive pathway to self-sufficiency, Home Suite Hope helps break the generational cycles of poverty and trauma. However, rising housing costs and low vacancy rates are threatening their ability to continue this vital work.
Understanding the Challenge
The harsh reality is that people do not choose the circumstances into which they are born. Many in Halton were fortunate to grow up in families that provided all the resources necessary for success. In contrast, those born into lower-income families often face a lack of economic resources, chronic hunger, high levels of stress, and insufficient life skills, making it incredibly difficult to secure and maintain education, employment, and housing.
Traditionally, our society has responded to the needs of the most vulnerable with social assistance cheques and occasional subsidies. Unfortunately, this band-aid approach often traps individuals in a cycle of dependency, with very few ever managing to escape.
As someone who has spent nearly 20 years researching gender, social policies, and employment, I have seen firsthand how challenging it is for single mothers to leave social assistance behind. In one study of 120 single mothers, only eight managed to fully exit the system over five years.
A Unique Approach to Self-Sufficiency
Home Suite Hope offers a unique and effective approach. Our intensive four-year program is designed to ensure participants have the motivation and capacity to succeed. Each family receives a housing subsidy for a market rental of their choosing, which helps reduce stigma, allows them to build or maintain community connections, and ensures they do not need to move when they complete the program.
Participants engage in a year of life skills workshops, a two-year college diploma program, professional development workshops, mentorship, and receive intensive case management. They also have weekly access to an in-house psychotherapist. Our Industry Council, comprised of top local employers, helps participants secure employment. Gradually, we reduce our support as they gain self-sufficiency.
Pre-pandemic, our program boasted a 100 per cent success rate. Every graduate secured full-time employment, left social assistance, and no longer required subsidized housing. To date we have served 105 families.
However, the post-pandemic reality is starkly different. Soaring housing costs and a 0.2 per cent vacancy rate in Halton have made it nearly impossible to provide essential housing subsidies. Just a few years ago, our average rent was $1,600 per month. Now, it averages $2,600. This immense financial pressure threatens our ability to support as many families as we once did and the overall longevity of our programming.
Currently, four single-mother-led families have been accepted into our program but have no apartments to move into. Despite launching an affordable housing campaign and attempting to negotiate directly with property managers, our efforts have not yielded the necessary results. Property managers have expressed disinterest in our “type” of participants, despite their rigorous vetting process and support structures, which make them some of the safest tenants.
A Call to Action
We must believe that there are property managers and landlords who simply do not yet understand our program or its benefits. Supporting Home Suite Hope is not just about providing housing; it is about investing in the future of our community. By partnering with us, property managers can help ensure that these families receive the support they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
We urge you to consider the broader ramifications for Halton if we fail to support organizations like Home Suite Hope. By securing affordable housing for our participants, you are not only changing individual lives but also fostering a healthier, more inclusive community.
Join us in making a tangible difference. Contact Home Suite Hope at [email protected] today to learn how you can help provide the essential housing that will enable our families to thrive. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for all.
Sara Cumming is the executive director of Home Suite Hope.