One-Month-Away: Helping Prevent Evictions and Displacement in Communities like City Heights
As February comes to a close, the demand for our one-time financial aid (One-Month-Away) and wraparound service programs continue to grow. With over 195 tenants currently on the waitlist, our Eviction Prevention team is working diligently to address the number of families and individuals at risk of eviction and potential homelessness or displacement.
The impact of housing insecurity goes beyond the tenants—it affects landlords, neighborhoods, and the broader community, too.
For tenants, eviction often means losing the stability of their home, facing the long-term consequences of eviction on their rental history and credit report, and enduring the burden of displacement. Landlords, on the other hand, grapple with unpaid rent, abandoned properties, and the expenses associated with re-renting homes. Meanwhile, the community absorbs the emotional and social fallout, witnessing the stigma and hardship that accompany housing insecurity.
Families with children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of eviction. Contrary to common misconceptions, many tenants facing housing instability are not lazy or unwilling to work. They are hardworking individuals, including single mothers and families, working to provide for their children. Unforeseen challenges - such as medical emergencies, car repairs, or other unexpected financial burdens - often stretch tenants beyond their financial limits, leaving them unable to pay their rent.
“The lack of timely information forces families to seek support in panic mode. Many are left choosing between shelter and food as they await assistance.”
Rickie, Eviction Prevention Program Senior Manager and Housing Justice Advocate
Our Eviction Prevention programming offers a lifeline for those on the brink of eviction. Through this initiative, we provide eligible residents across San Diego with one-time financial aid to help them bridge the gap to the next month. Participants may also access wraparound services, including case management, job placement assistance, access to classes, and connections to social programs that enable them to maintain long-term housing stability.
This program relies on funding, and we need the support of donors to continue making an impact. By contributing, you’re helping families avoid eviction, remain housed, and restore hope for the future. Join us as we work to keep families and individuals housed.