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Susanne, a 25-year-old woman, was living in Miami, Florida where she attended college. She unexpectedly became a caregiver for her mother who was in a car accident and in a coma for over two months. During this time, Susanne was unable to maintain rent and was evicted. She spent the next couple of months couch surfing until she decided to relocate to Arizona.
Upon her arrival in Arizona, Susanne made arrangements to live with a friend and found employment. Over the next two years, the friendship became abusive and Susanne no longer felt safe. On a day that her friend went to work, Susanne took advantage of the time and called the police. The police picked her up, and drove her to a motel. Susanne then called the HSC Brian Garcia Welcome Center and spoke with HSC Staff. Staff arranged for her to be picked up and brought to the Welcome Center for intake as well as a shelter bed in CASS. HSC Staff spoke with a friend of Susanne's in Texas, who confirmed that Susanne would be more than welcome to come live with her. HSC purchased a bus ticket for Susanne, and she arrived safely at her new home in Texas.
This type of housing intervention is called a “Diversion,” and it is just one way that HSC helps individuals avoid homelessness every day. Sometimes stability is only a friend and a bus ticket away.
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