the right support at the right time: matt’s journey home

When Matt gained full custody of his two children, he knew the studio apartment he had called home for years was no longer big enough for his family.

Wanting to create a better living situation for his children, Matt made the difficult decision not to renew his lease and began searching for a larger apartment. But just as he was preparing for this next chapter, an unexpected setback changed everything.

Matt suffered a work-related injury that left him unable to return to his job while he waited for additional medical treatment. Suddenly, workers’ compensation became his only source of income. What had already been a challenging housing search quickly became nearly impossible.

When his lease ended, Matt and his children had nowhere else to go.

The family began living in their car while Matt tried to navigate his recovery, care for his children, and find a safe place for them to call home.

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure what to do next, Matt reached out to Mary’s Place and was connected to our outreach team.

From there, everything began to change.

Together, Matt and the Mary’s Place team worked to identify housing options that would fit his family’s needs and budget. After searching for available units, the team helped Matt secure approval for an affordable apartment with enough space for him and his children to finally settle in and begin rebuilding stability.

But getting approved was only part of the challenge.

Because Matt was still unable to return to work, he needed additional support to make the move possible. Mary’s Place stepped in to work directly with the apartment community and provide three months of rental assistance, ensuring the family could move in and remain housed while Matt focused on his recovery and eventual return to work.

“OMG!!! You have no idea how happy I am hearing that,” said Matt when he heard the news. “I can't believe this! Wow, you guys are awesome. Thank you, Mary’s Place, and that's from me and my kids.”

Matt’s story is a powerful reminder that homelessness is often caused by a series of unforeseen challenges that happen faster than families can recover. An injury, a loss of income, or a sudden change in family circumstances can quickly snowball, putting housing out of reach.

It is also a reminder that the right support at the right time can change everything.

Thanks to partnerships with community organizations and support from our community, Mary’s Place can provide families with individualized assistance that helps them move from crisis to stability.

Today, Matt and his children have a place to call home and the opportunity to focus on what matters most: healing, recovery, and building a brighter future together.