Courtney’s Case Story

The distance between an unsafe apartment and a stable home is often measured not in miles, but in dollars. 

For Courtney* and her child, that distance was defined by a $1,000 security deposit – the cost of moving from an apartment plagued by rodent infestation to a safer living environment. When she qualified for a Section 8 housing voucher and found an available unit in a better neighborhood, the path to improved living conditions seemed clear. Yet for a family already stretching every dollar to maintain basic necessities, that security deposit requirement threatened to keep them trapped in their current situation despite having qualified for housing assistance.

The Burden of Inadequate Housing

The daily stress of living in unsafe conditions wore heavily on the family. “The best outcome is that I will get myself and my child out of this situation,” Courtney shared, her voice reflecting months of accumulated worry. “It’s just not a good experience [for us].”

Courtney had already done the hardest part – qualifying for Section 8 assistance and finding an available unit in a safer neighborhood. Yet the security deposit requirement created a familiar dilemma: take on unsustainable debt to escape immediately, or remain in harmful conditions while trying to save.

A Bridge to Better Housing

When a community-based support center recognized Courtney’s situation, they referred the family to Footbridge, which provided the $1,000 security deposit needed to secure the new residence. This targeted assistance did more than enable a move – it prevented the family from starting their new chapter under the burden of debt. Without this support, as Courtney noted, the likely alternative would have been “sign[ing] up for a place that I can’t afford and start[ing] out in debt.”

The Bigger Picture

This case illuminates a critical gap in housing assistance programs: while Section 8 vouchers make ongoing rent payments manageable, upfront costs can still prevent families from accessing safer housing options. When timely financial assistance removes these barriers, it does more than facilitate a move – it enables families to maintain financial stability while pursuing better living conditions.

By preventing the need to choose between safety and financial security, targeted support helps ensure that receiving housing assistance truly translates into improved living conditions for families ready to make that transition.

*This name has been changed for privacy reasons.