When we talked through her circumstances, Ms. Lopez and I noticed a clear set of barriers to her familyŐs ongoing housing stability.
So we made sure the housing plan addressed each of these barriers. Ms. LopezŐs tardy rent and utility payments were the direct result
of a spell of poor health earlier in the year. The missed payments fell during this period and she was able to make rent and gas payments for all other months,
before and since she fell ill. So short-term goals included obtaining STRMU assistance and making sure that she was getting the health care that she needed.
With a job and two children, she has had a hard time getting to the doctor regularly and following up on her care. We also connected her to
our buddy program. She is on a local Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, but has not applied for other types of long-term housing assistance.
So medium-term goals are to follow up with HCVP and to apply for HOPWA TBRA and other long-term housing assistance. With improved health care,
she should be able to avoid the type of health problems that led her to miss work earlier in the year. Since she is paying over half of her income in rent
and utilities, she likely isnŐt earning enough money to afford this apartment over the long run. So improving her employment is a long-term goal.
Also, since her apartment is too small and has unsafe locks and lighting, finding a different place to live is a long-term goal.