Providing Access to Affordable Housing to Women & Children in Need

All across Indiana, there is a lack of safe, affordable housing options for one of the most vulnerable populations – women and children. Not only is there a lack of access but also a lack of total care needed through housing programs.

Many times when a family becomes homeless it is not for lack of income, it is the lack of having sufficient income with access to supportive services. Catholic Charities has seen families affected by this time and again. And we exist to serve all of these families in need – sometimes with multiple services, and sometimes with just one. 

One example comes from a resident at St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities in New Albany, Indiana. Sarah* was not in need of all the support the transition home provided but was unable to move into fair market rent housing. Sarah also needed access to therapy and case management, which would have been more difficult, if not impossible, to maintain if she moved out completely. St. Elizabeth saw this need and addressed it in the form of creating a new program called Affordable Supportive Housing (ASH).

The ASH Program started in 2013 with buying a small home behind St. Elizabeth’s transition home. Soon after, St. Elizabeth also purchased a 4-plex housing unit with individual 4 apartments. Sarah was able to quickly move into the home with her small daughter. To this day she remains in the home, working towards moving into either fair market rent or, more importantly, buying her own home.
Without the support of Catholic Charities programs like ASH, families will not have success in moving into fair market housing. 

Catholic Charities: Providing help. Creating hope. Serving All.

*Names changed