A group of domestic violence survivors are losing their housing after a change in funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Michelle Sykes says it took tremendous courage to leave her abusive relationship and take her two children to the women’s shelter operated by Community Action Stops Abuse.
From there, Sykes was accepted into CASA’s transitional housing program. She says it’s a place where her two children finally feel safe.
But two weeks ago, her new world was shattered.
“They said the program lost its funding," Sykes said. "They have put us into another crisis situation by giving us 35 days notice to be able to move.”
Sykes was in CASA’s 2-year program, where she is currently just a few weeks from becoming a certified nursing assistant.
But only working part time along with full-time classes, Sykes said she doesn’t qualify for many apartments because of her limited income.
"Paying first and last months rent and deposits is great," Sykes said. "However, its putting us into a situation where a landlord is not going to rent to us."
March 1 is the target date to have Sykes' family and five other families in CASA's program out of transitional housing.
Suzanne Horn, CASA’S Director of Operations, says each family will get assistance, including first and last month’s rent. She also says HUD will be shifting its funding to the Rapid Rehousing Program, which will be able to help more families throughout the year who can’t afford a place to live.
It’s little comfort to Sykes, who says she isn't even sure where to put her children into school without knowing where they’ll be living.
She says CASA has offered to let her live in the shelter for 45 extra days, but she feels like that’s a step backwards in her healing process.