Based on calls to 211 and our office, the main issue Lincoln county residents faced in September was housing and shelter needs, specifically rent assistance and affordable housing. With over 70 calls to our office and nearly 100 to 211, it is clear that housing is a major issue Lincoln county is facing. Brittany's story highlights how quickly housing can become a problem.
Brittany and her family have always managed their busy lives. With both parents working and four children, one of which with special needs, there is rarely a moment when they have time to stop and breathe, let alone deal with a major crisis. Unfortunately, that doesn't prevent one from happening.
Brittany and her husband were shocked when they were told they had just one month to move out of their home. As renters, they had built their lives in this home. However, when their landlord passed away and his children decided to sell the home, there was nothing Brittany and her husband could do other than adjust.
They stared down the barrel of possible homelessness for their family of six despite the fact that their normal budget worked. They brought in enough each month to live, but they didn’t have the extra needed for new deposits and everything else that comes with moving. Thankfully, Brittany was connected with our office. United Way of Lincoln County was able to step in and offer support to this family as they managed their way through this sudden moment of instability. Beyond helping with deposits, we were able to connect their family with other resources to ensure that Brittany and her family could not only live but thrive.
This story is representative of so many calls both our office and 211 receive every day from our neighbors across Lincoln County. Brittany and her family represent what it means to be ALICE—Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. These are families and individuals who are working, trying, living in our community that are one or two problems away from disaster. We all know that life is complicated, and trouble can happen at any moment. For ALICE families, there's an extra layer of stress, because they're doing everything they can but still may come up short. United Way of Lincoln County is dedicated to connecting people to the resources they need so all in Lincoln County can lead successful, thriving lives.