Giving Matters: Collaborative HoSEA program promotes housing stability, eviction avoidance

Experts say it’s easier and more affordable to help people stay in their homes than to help someone experiencing homelessness get housing.

When pastors from four local congregations with relief ministries noticed an increase in requests for rent assistance — beyond the resources any one church could typically provide — they came up with a plan to pool their funding, as well as their wisdom and compassion, to help more people maintain stable housing.

Matt Rollins, minister of community engagement at First Baptist Greenville, said his church, along with Christ Church Episcopal, St. Michael Lutheran and Fourth Presbyterian, had the idea for the HoSEA Program — Housing Stability and Eviction Avoidance — a couple of years ago. Before initiating the program, they reached out to nonprofits with expertise in the area like United Housing Connections and United Ministries to be sure the idea had merit.

“Each group was ecstatic that churches would pool their money to help with an eviction-prevention program,” Rollins said. “Since October, we’ve raised almost $50,000 and we’ve been able to help about 30 families avoid eviction.”

HoSEA Team volunteers from the churches take turns each month shepherding candidates through the application process. Case managers Davida Bryant with United Ministries and Trey Meredith with Triune Mercy Center provide professional vetting and official recommendations.

“If applicants can convey to us that they are truly facing eviction, that the situation was caused by a one-time expense they weren’t expecting, and that going forward they would be able to make the payments, they are a candidate for this program,” Rollins said. “We set up an appointment for them with a case manager, who reviews their lease, income and other expenses.”

Meredith said as housing costs and other expenses continue to rise, more people are just one missed paycheck, one car accident or one hospital bill away from not being able to pay their rent.

“Once someone has an eviction on their record, it is exponentially harder for them to find housing, thus exacerbating an already-traumatic situation,” Meredith said. “Churches pooling their money to create this fund was such an efficient and innovative way to provide a much needed service to our community.”

One recipient expressed gratitude for the program, saying “It made the difference between shelter living and being in my townhome. The volunteer I dealt with was very friendly and helpful throughout the four-day process.”

In addition to the short-term relief provided by the HoSEA program, partner churches are involved in advocacy efforts to address affordable housing through Greenville Affordable Housing Coalition and GOAL Justice.

“Our funds are a bridge to help people get through a month so they can regain their own stability.” he said. “We feel it’s important to approach it from both sides, advocating for a system in Greenville that is more fair so that people are not struggling.”

Rollins said the HoSEA Program hopes to add more congregations to its rotation to increase available funding and volunteers. For more information about how to join the team or contribute to the fund, contact him at matt.rollins@firstbaptistgreenville.com.

Visit cfgreenville.org to learn more about the Community Foundation of Greenville.