Community Support Offers Hope for Housing Difficulties

• Author: Marsha Jacobs
• Posted: 2023-12-13

Housing insecurity is an issue that impacts communities across the country. While government programs provide vital assistance, local organizations are also stepping up to help.

Nonprofits, charities, and community groups offer additional support for those struggling to pay for housing.

For example, food banks and pantries often help with more than just food. Some operate housing assistance programs to provide emergency funds for rent and utilities. They aim to address people’s basic needs holistically.

According to Feeding America, over 200 of their food banks offer utility or rent assistance.

Places of worship are another source of aid. Churches, synagogues, and mosques will sometimes set up special funds to help members in need. They may collect donations from the congregation to assist those facing temporary financial hardship. Some even partner with local charities to provide additional housing resources and counseling.

Crowdfunding campaigns have also become a popular way for communities to raise money for housing costs. Friends, neighbors, and strangers will donate to campaigns set up for individuals or families at risk of eviction or foreclosure.

While not a sustainable long-term solution, these grassroots campaigns show the power of community support.

Nonprofit organizations focused specifically on housing offer additional help. For example, Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates homes for those in need of affordable housing.

They provide opportunities for families to achieve homeownership they might not otherwise have. Local Habitat affiliates rely on community volunteers and donations to operate.

Community foundations and United Way chapters also frequently provide housing grants and funding. They distribute money from donors to local charities and programs aimed at preventing homelessness and stabilizing housing.

These place-based foundations have a deep understanding of the challenges facing their communities.

Government aid will likely always be necessary to help households facing substantial difficulties affording housing. However, community-based support offers additional hope.

Local charities, places of worship, nonprofits, and grassroots campaigns all work to prevent people from slipping through the cracks. Together with federal and state programs, they form a wider safety net for those struggling with housing hardship.