HOUSING UNITED
Opening Doors
Housing United is a collaborative, rapid re-housing based program established in response to the identification of housing stability as an urgent and recurring need in our community.
A research-based solution that prioritizes stable housing and ongoing support to produce positive outcomes, rapid rehousing programs like Housing United aim to prevent eviction, quickly transition the homeless to housed, and provide resources that ensure long-term sustainability.
United to House Families Across the Ocoee Region
Housing United's Housing Navigator recruits and works with landlords to keep an ongoing and up-to-date list of available units, negotiate screening barriers, and connect clients to suitable, stable housing. The program provides flexible deposit and short-term rent assistance, in addition to mitigation funds that provide financial assurance to landlords in case of damage to a unit within the first year of tenancy.
Income-Based Workshops
Housing United's monthly income-based workshops empower individuals and families with practical tools to achieve stability and long-term success. Designed to meet people where they are, these workshops offer guidance on navigating rental and homeownership options, and accessing local resources tailored to income level and real-life circumstances.
Good Tenant Training
Good Tenant training hosted by Housing United equips renters with the knowledge and confidence they need to secure and maintain safe, stable housing. It covers practical topics such as understanding leases, budgeting for rent and utilities, communicating effectively with landlords, knowing tenant rights and responsibilities, and caring for a rental home.
Beyond the basics, effective tenant training empowers participants to avoid common housing challenges, resolve issues proactively, and build a positive rental history. The goal is not only to help individuals become successful tenants today, but to support long-term housing stability and independence for the future.
Access to housing is a key to stability for every individual. As housing burdens increase and needs arise, our program works diligently to prevent individuals from slipping into homelessness. Since its inception in 2020, Housing United has invested more than $350,000 locally, with 97% of clients remaining successfully and independently housed after six months.
For additional information about Housing United, contact Olivia Gaines at oliviagaines@unitedwayocoee.org or 423-479-2020.
Ana’s Housing United Story
In 2024, Housing United helped Ana*, a devoted single mother of three, find the stability and security her family desperately needed. After escaping a domestic violence situation earlier in the year, Ana made the brave decision to move her children to Cleveland, hoping to give them a fresh start. With nowhere else to turn, she stayed with a friend — but her time there was short-lived, leaving her once again searching for a place to call home.
Caring for her children with disabilities made finding stable employment challenging. The weight of uncertainty was overwhelming, but Ana refused to give up. In September, a school counselor, recognizing the family’s urgent need, contacted Housing United. Understanding the gravity of their situation, the team prioritized Ana’s enrollment, offering the support she had been desperately seeking.
With Housing United by her side, Ana crafted a plan to rebuild her life. Together, they worked to find affordable childcare so she could pursue steady employment, while also navigating the process of securing stable housing. After weeks of waiting, a breakthrough came — one of Housing United’s landlord partners agreed to lower the rent on a unit, making it affordable for Ana and her children. With financial assistance from Housing United, Ana signed the lease, and for the first time, she and her children had a safe home of their own.
Just before the holidays, the family moved in, filling their new space with warmth, relief and hope. Today, Ana is actively working toward a brighter future — strengthening her job prospects with the support of the City Fields Workforce Development Team (a United Way non-profit partner) and taking meaningful steps toward self-sufficiency.
Ana’s journey is a testament to the power of community, compassion and resilience. It is an important reminder that when we come together, we can transform lives and open doors to new beginnings.
Her story represents the true impact of working UNITED.
*Name and likeness changed to protect privacy