ECS FAST Housing provides case management and permanent, subsidized housing to 42 families with a history of chronic homelessness. The program serves households in which the parent is recovering from behavioral health issues or a child has a disability.
Ten months after securing housing through the ECS FAST program, it’s still hard for Jerry to look back on the four years of homelessness he and his family endured. Jerry’s family shares many of the issues that lead to the chronic family homelessness the ECS FAST program is designed to address. His wife, Dana, is disabled. Jerry has worked as a janitor in the past, but is now waiting for his doctor’s permission to go back to work.
With five children at home, finding enough space is a challenge. The family’s bout with homelessness began around Thanksgiving of 2004. They had lived in the same public housing project for over a decade, but when they moved into a larger unit their new neighbor took a dislike to Jerry. Her complaints piled up until the housing authority evicted Jerry and his family.
“They told me they wanted the unit back because I was creating a nuisance,” Jerry said. “When I was in court I was stunned. By the time I realized I could appeal and fight back it was too late.”
The family stayed in a homeless shelter for 18 months. Participating in the shelter’s savings and fees program, they saved enough money to move into a three-bedroom apartment. However, after they were released from the shelter the apartment fell through. They stayed in a hotel while trying to make other arrangements. After exhausting their savings, they began a year moving from one place to another, doubling up with family members and acquaintances.
“Those were some hard times. Nobody wants to let you, your wife and five kids in their house,” Jerry said.
At one point, the whole family was living in a basement with a broken door that would fly open in the wind. Jerry taped trash bags over gaps in the windows to keep out the cold. Then they stayed with Jerry’s sister for a while, paying rent and sharing food stamps. After she asked them to move, they stayed with Jerry’s niece. Soon after, the niece was evicted and all the family’s possessions were locked inside the unit.With their other options exhausted, they again applied for shelter. This was the beginning of their most difficult time yet.
Dana and the children were approved for shelter placement, but the shelter couldn’t take Jerry. After staying with his adult daughter and her fiancé for a few days, he went into a single men’s shelter.
“I was miserable. I wasn’t used to being without my family,” Jerry said. “We’ve been married 15 years. I’m happiest when I’m home with my kids, waiting for the Phillies to come on.”
Today, thanks to ECS FAST Housing, the family is back together in a clean, safe home in West Philadelphia. They benefit from case management and regular workshops that provide information on budgeting, parenting, health and related topics.
“I learned a lot from the FAST back-to-school workshop,” Jerry said. “The school system staff doesn’t always tell you everything you’re entitled to.
I just went to a meeting at my son’s school. I understood what was being said because I went to the workshop. Every time I visit ECS, I come away with something.”
We were staying in an apartment. It wasn't the best-kept place but I made it work for as long as I could for me and my kids. When I couldn't afford the place anymore, we went into the shelter system. It was even more run-down than my old apartment, but that just made me strive to get us out of that situation. I kept myself busy holding down a job, taking care of my kids, and doing what I had to do to get out of there.