"I've Come A Long Way"

Henrietta has lived in many apartments over the past twenty years but waited a long time to be in one that truly felt like home.

A number of years ago she was working and living stably when she began having difficulty keeping her daily life in order. She was also frequently losing focus. This disruption and disorganization affected her ability to pay her rent and bills on time.

“I got really behind on rent and ended up losing my home."

Henrietta experienced homelessness until she found assistance at Water Street Mission, a partner of Chestnut Housing. Water Street not only provided a roof over her head, but their staff got her set up with support to pay her bills on time and eventually she received a mental health diagnosis and treatment that eased her disorganized thoughts and lack of focus.

Over the next several years, Henrietta moved around, trying to maintain stability with rising rents and tenuous employment. Then her mom was diagnosed with dementia. She wanted to help her dad care for her. Through her caseworker, she was able to connect with Chestnut Housing and was able to move to an affordable apartment closer to her parents.

"I love it here. I take walks every day... I feel more stable."

She has other family in the area and feels better supported by having them close. Henrietta's mother cannot be left alone, so to help her dad, she has her mom come and spend time with her. Her one-bedroom apartment allows Henrietta to feel like a good caregiver, providing the space needed to make her mom feel comfortable.

Henrietta has a goal of returning to part-time work. She previously worked as a hair stylist, and envisions herself working one-on-one with people again, either as a nurse’s aide or hair stylist. She finds hope in the stability she now has at her Chestnut Housing apartment. And out of that stability, she strives to continue caring for her parents and pursuing her goals. “I look back and I’ve come a long way. But it’s been a hard road."

~by Megan Snell

Partner Spotlight: The Clare House

Our Partner Spotlight series highlights the work of Chestnut Housing’s partners. We begin this series with The Clare House. Chestnut Housing's Director of Resident Engagement, Megan Snell, interviewed Michelle Rybner, MSW, LSW, Executive Director for The Clare House.

1. Tell us about The Clare House and the programs you offer your families.

Clare House is an employment-focused transitional housing program in Lancaster city for women with children who are facing homelessness. The women initially establish mental health services, childcare and full-time employment. Once those are established, they begin their housing search. They meet weekly with our Family Services Manager, who provides support and resources to assist them in their goals. Clare House holds weekly workshops for the women on financial literacy, budgeting, nutrition, mental health, tenant rights, credit, and parenting. We follow up with the women monthly after they move into more permanent housing. Some families maintain a relationship with us for years, and even return to present at our workshops.

2. Tell us about some challenges your families face that are addressed through your programs.

The biggest challenge our families face is finding sustainable housing. Their living situations before arriving at Clare House are unstable due to domestic violence, low or no income, limited access to or knowledge of community resources, being severely rent-burdened, and lack of reliable social support. Finding sustainable, permanent housing that offers a sense of security is crucial to their well-being. Chestnut Housing helps provide this opportunity.

3. How long has The Clare House partnered with Chestnut Housing and how many families have been housed in Chestnut Housing properties?

This is the second year that Clare House has been partnering with Chestnut Housing. One of our families is currently housed through Chestnut Housing.

4. Tell us how the partnership with Chestnut Housing addresses residents' housing goals.

The women staying at Clare House are single income households, making it very difficult for them to qualify for apartments with a conventional landlord. So, they apply for affordable housing options once they have obtained full-time employment. When Chestnut Housing has apartments that become available, this shortens the time families stay at Clare House.

5. What do you hope for the future of the partnership with Chestnut Housing?

Our partnership with Chestnut Housing not only reduces the length of time families spend in transitional housing, but also creates space for us to serve additional women and children experiencing homelessness. Together our partnership with Chestnut Housing helps families achieve lasting housing stability and move toward long-term independence.

Building Belonging Housing Summit

Building Belonging: A Faith Community Summit on Housing will bring together faith leaders, congregational leaders and engaged members for a day of learning, conversation, and action around Lancaster County’s housing challenges.

The summit will explore the many ways faith communities can contribute. For some congregations, that could mean considering how land or property might be used for housing. For others, the opportunity may be partnership, fundraising, advocacy, community relationships, or using their voice and influence.

Chestnut Housing is sponsoring this event and will be well-represented -- please join us!

When you donate to Chestnut Housing, you are helping create more affordable housing solutions in your community. Please consider giving online today!

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