Memphis is short approximately 36,000 affordable housing units than it needs, given its number of low-income residents, according to a 2022 analysis by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. There is currently not enough low-income shelter to get families off the street, and there are limited new housing options on the horizon. This deficiency causes low-income renters to suffer and landlord's benefit; a cycle that not only keeps people unhoused, but it also creates a pathway for more people to enter a housing crisis. Many Dorothy Day House families find it difficult to find housing because of a previous eviction, lack of rental history, or low credit score. 

As part of our Transitional Housing initiative, DDH hopes to provide temporary rental support for those families who have completed their time with us and are ready to establish their own homes again. Our staff will develop relationships with landlords who will not only be willing to work with families but would otherwise not meet the requirements of most rental companies. 

Our featured donors for this initiative are the Ready family. Lauren and Scott have been dedicated donors and volunteers with DDH since moving to Memphis in 2013. Lauren was a reporter for Channel 5 when she attended a Lunch and Learn.

Lauren began reporting on updates from DDH through her work in local news and attending Sunday Night Meals with her family in her personal time.  In 2015, Lauren joined the Board of Directors, and she served as Board Chair in 2019.  

As professional storytellers, the Readys support DDH because of the stories they heard around the table at Sunday night meals. Lauren and Scott learned they would be adopting their now 5-year-old son at the same time Loretta’s House was opening. His birth mother was experiencing houselessness in California, so their personal life heavily coincided with the mission of DDH. 

The vision aligns very closely with their personal values, and they feel compelled to help with transitional housing. "When you have a stable home environment, things tend to get a little easier. Dorothy Day House provides that environment for families in need.” It is the Readys’ dream to purchase a property so they can offer affordable housing to families moving out of DDH programs.  

Join Scott and Lauren in addressing the lack of affordable housing available to families in Memphis. Give TODAY during our Summer of Gratitude campaign and double your impact. Every dollar will be matched up to $5,000 by the Ready family. Please CLICK HERE to commit to giving to Transitional Apartments. 

To learn more about each initiative in our 5-6-7 Vision, CLICK HERE.



We thank you for your continued support of Dorothy Day House.