Leanna, her fiancée Joe, and their 10-month-old daughter, Annabelle, were trapped in the affordable housing crisis. Without a home of their own, the only place they could turn to was a Phoenix homeless shelter.
“We’ve had a very tough time,” said Leanna. For three years, Leanna and Joe stayed with family and friends as well as in hotels. “We used up all of our money,” said Leanna. “We ended up in a homeless shelter in Phoenix.” The homeless shelter was “pretty much like an apartment but it wasn’t a long-term thing.” Their goal, they said, was to have a roof over their heads
Leanna, Joe and Annabelle pause for a snap shot.
Leanna is a member of the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), which provides supports and services to help individuals like Leanna live healthy, independent and meaningful lives. She kept her DDD Support Coordinator, Maria Parker, up-to-date on their situation, and Maria told them about the DDD Affordable Housing Program, earning her the title of “Guardian Angel” in Joe’s eyes.
Through a partnership with the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH), DDD refers members to affordable housing opportunities. ADOH is the recipient of two 811 Project Rental Assistance (811 PRA) grants which provide funding for housing subsidies for Division members. DDD identifies program participants who are ready and willing to live independently with DDD support, and acts as the referral agent and service partner with ADOH to connect members (and their households) with community-integrated, affordable housing units.
An apartment in Tucson became available shortly after the family entered the homeless shelter. “We were [at the shelter] maybe a day or two when we heard about this apartment and that we were approved to get in,” said Leanna. The family accepted the 2-bedroom apartment sight-unseen. Adding to their delight, the apartment complex, along with community partners, offers numerous activities for residents, including birthday celebrations that include cake and a $5 Dollar Tree gift certificate. The complex also has bingo, a workout area and a computer lab. “They’ll help you with a GED,” said Joe. Another plus: the Tucson light rail runs by their home, connecting them with the rest of the city.
DDD Housing Project Coordinator, Alicia Palmer, who Joe described as another “Guardian Angel,” worked with DES community partners to help the family with their transition to Tucson. Moving costs were covered by the St. Vincent de Paul Resource Center in Phoenix. St. Vincent de Paul in Tucson donated a dinette set, coffee table, sofa, bed, and dresser. Food and diapers were provided by Interfaith Community Services in Tucson.
Furniture and grocery items donated by Tucson’s St. Vincent de Paul and Interfaith Community Services in Tucson.
After three years of hardship, Leanna, Joe and Annabelle now have a place to call home. Adding to their happiness, the entire family hops on the light rail to explore their new city. Annabelle “loves the light rail, especially at night because of the lights,” said Joe. They also take advantage of the nearby bike trail to take long walks.
Inspirational author and founder of SUCCESS Magazine, Orison Swett Marden, once said, “Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.” Leanna and family, with help from DDD, have successfully turned their hardship into happiness.