Help Homeless Family of 5 in Milwaukee
Donation protected
We all want to help people having a rough time in life - but are often held back when they have drug problems or other significant issues that make it difficult to trust or know there will be a positive effect. This IS NOT one of those cases!
My friend is 42 years old. I've known him for four years. He is drug-free, not an alcoholic, no mental health issues, no felony convictions, but is having a very difficult time supporting his family right now since losing his job as a mover in July. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a driver's license, and only went to school through 8th grade. He and his family (the mother of his children and the kids ages 16, 9, and 5) are living very temporarily in a very run-down slum apartment that has been neglected by the landlord and condemned by the city--they have until 9am TUESDAY 10/8/19 to vacate when the city boards the place up! They're living with no running water, no electricity, and no car. They do receive $600/mo in foodshare, but that doesn't go far if you don't have a way to cook your food. They have also received pledges from local donors and nonprofit groups so far to pay the security deposit and first two months' rent on an apartment. I have also personally funded helping the dad in the family learn to drive and have scheduled his driver's test so he can stop relying on the bus, and perhaps even be more employable with a driver's license.
BUT - here's the immediate need... In Milwaukee, we can't find a landlord with a livable property, that will rent to this family - even if there is extra security deposit or two months' advance rent provided! ***They want "no evictions for 5 years" and "prove income 2 - 3 times the rent amount" and "must have been employed with same employer for at least one year."*** This is a HUGE list to accomplish for this family and we're can't find any options to provide housing. The government housing programs are proving fruitless because of diminishing funding or because they provide us lists of housing to approach and when we call, they are all full!
I've analyzed this inside and out. Paying one month's rent isn't going to give this family the security they need to get a job, get some paychecks, and get stable again. Paying two month's rent is not enough to convince landlords to rent to them. We're going out on a limb here and praying that generous donors will help us raise enough - that when combined with the other funds already pledged - we can pay a landlord a security deposit plus 6 months rent up front! And the great news - we believe we've found a landlord willing to accept the family as tenants, in a decent neighborhood, for a 3-bedroom apartment on the northwest side of Milwaukee- IF we can show the funds are there to pay the rent.
Let me add a final bit of perspective... I picked the family up in my car to go apartment hunting this week. Realizing they had not eaten all day, I bought them dinner from a restaurant. The NEXT DAY, I picked them up again to go apartment hunting - and upon greeting the kids, I asked "How's everyone doing?" The youngest - a 5 year old little boy - said he was doing "great!" I asked what was new that things were great. He simply stated - with 100% innocence - "Well, you gave me warm dinner last night and I'm still thinking about how good it was!" Folks; he said this to me a full 24-hours after the meal... the boy hadn't eaten since then and was thrilled to just be remembering the previous day's meal.
Bottom line: I know I can't save the world; and I can't help everyone. But I can help someone. This is my someone - my family of 5 someones' rather.
Our goal is to get this Milwaukee family stable, in housing, and with the dad learning to drive and both parents finding jobs. But the housing has to come first, and the clock is ticking. Won't you join me and contribute to this cause today?
Update: We have a donor providing a sectional sofa and two twin mattresses! But we haven't secured a home to put them in yet.
Update: Many have donated food, goods, An apartment has been secured, and most furniture provided; we are still raising funds to help pay rent in advance. The family has moved in and are trying to get settled and readjusted. If you still wish to donate, the funds will cushion the family to help offset the costs of rent and transportation for the dad to get to and from work. Thank you to the generous donors who have given!!!
My friend is 42 years old. I've known him for four years. He is drug-free, not an alcoholic, no mental health issues, no felony convictions, but is having a very difficult time supporting his family right now since losing his job as a mover in July. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a driver's license, and only went to school through 8th grade. He and his family (the mother of his children and the kids ages 16, 9, and 5) are living very temporarily in a very run-down slum apartment that has been neglected by the landlord and condemned by the city--they have until 9am TUESDAY 10/8/19 to vacate when the city boards the place up! They're living with no running water, no electricity, and no car. They do receive $600/mo in foodshare, but that doesn't go far if you don't have a way to cook your food. They have also received pledges from local donors and nonprofit groups so far to pay the security deposit and first two months' rent on an apartment. I have also personally funded helping the dad in the family learn to drive and have scheduled his driver's test so he can stop relying on the bus, and perhaps even be more employable with a driver's license.
BUT - here's the immediate need... In Milwaukee, we can't find a landlord with a livable property, that will rent to this family - even if there is extra security deposit or two months' advance rent provided! ***They want "no evictions for 5 years" and "prove income 2 - 3 times the rent amount" and "must have been employed with same employer for at least one year."*** This is a HUGE list to accomplish for this family and we're can't find any options to provide housing. The government housing programs are proving fruitless because of diminishing funding or because they provide us lists of housing to approach and when we call, they are all full!
I've analyzed this inside and out. Paying one month's rent isn't going to give this family the security they need to get a job, get some paychecks, and get stable again. Paying two month's rent is not enough to convince landlords to rent to them. We're going out on a limb here and praying that generous donors will help us raise enough - that when combined with the other funds already pledged - we can pay a landlord a security deposit plus 6 months rent up front! And the great news - we believe we've found a landlord willing to accept the family as tenants, in a decent neighborhood, for a 3-bedroom apartment on the northwest side of Milwaukee- IF we can show the funds are there to pay the rent.
Let me add a final bit of perspective... I picked the family up in my car to go apartment hunting this week. Realizing they had not eaten all day, I bought them dinner from a restaurant. The NEXT DAY, I picked them up again to go apartment hunting - and upon greeting the kids, I asked "How's everyone doing?" The youngest - a 5 year old little boy - said he was doing "great!" I asked what was new that things were great. He simply stated - with 100% innocence - "Well, you gave me warm dinner last night and I'm still thinking about how good it was!" Folks; he said this to me a full 24-hours after the meal... the boy hadn't eaten since then and was thrilled to just be remembering the previous day's meal.
Bottom line: I know I can't save the world; and I can't help everyone. But I can help someone. This is my someone - my family of 5 someones' rather.
Our goal is to get this Milwaukee family stable, in housing, and with the dad learning to drive and both parents finding jobs. But the housing has to come first, and the clock is ticking. Won't you join me and contribute to this cause today?
Update: We have a donor providing a sectional sofa and two twin mattresses! But we haven't secured a home to put them in yet.
Update: Many have donated food, goods, An apartment has been secured, and most furniture provided; we are still raising funds to help pay rent in advance. The family has moved in and are trying to get settled and readjusted. If you still wish to donate, the funds will cushion the family to help offset the costs of rent and transportation for the dad to get to and from work. Thank you to the generous donors who have given!!!
Organizer
Deanna Alexander
Organizer
Milwaukee, WI
