In 2008, Michelle had to choose between paying the rent and paying for food. United Way’s Housing First program helped her family secure stable housing, rebuild her credit and learn to manage her finances.

Michelle and her kids became homeless in 2008 after she lost her job. “It’s really tough with the kids” she says, “Stability for kids is important because if you don’t have stability, more kids have problems.”

She eventually ended up in the shelter system which helped keep a roof over her head – for a while. “It’s not housing,” Michelle says, “You’re still homeless and you still feel like you’re homeless because it’s not your own place.”

Eventually, Michelle entered United Way’s Housing First initiative, an initiative formed with partner agency The Road Home. “Housing First is a fabulous program. It truly is. It teaches you about budgeting and how to keep your housing,” says Michelle. “It even helps with the kids if you need help with that. It’s just a great support system.”

The goal of Housing First is to reduce by half the number of Dane County children in shelters by 2015. It helped Michelle find and afford an apartment. A case manager worked with Michelle on a regular basis to improve her life skills. “My goals are to just keep doing what I’m doing, keep my housing, keep my employment and just stay in touch with my case manager. She’s still a big part of my support.”

Michelle calls Housing First her salvation. “I’m so grateful. If it weren’t for this program, I’d probably still be homeless or in that vicious circle. So, I’m truly grateful that the program exists, and I hope it stays around for a very long time.”