Community Action Helps Cancer Patient Keep Her Home

Victoria held a steady job and had a stable home to raise her four children, but when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer that stability was at risk.

She had to undergo surgery and treatment for her cancer. To do so she needed to take a medical leave from her job without pay. Although she was able to receive temporary assistance through Ohio Works First – a time-limited cash assistance program through Ohio’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program that provides financial assistance to qualified families – it was still not enough to pay her bills. Her monthly rent including utilities was $750, but Ohio Works First only provided $698.

Because of this struggle, Victoria received an eviction notice for unpaid rent. She turned to Tri-County Community Action of Champaign, Logan and Shelby Counties for assistance. Tri-County got Victoria signed up for rental assistance through their Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP). With HPRP Tri-County was able to get Victoria caught up on her rent and keep her and her four children from losing their home. They were also able to assist her with the next month’s rent, giving her time to recover and return to work.

Since it was near the holidays, Tri-County also signed up Victoria for their Adopt a Family program for the holidays so that the children would have presents for Christmas. Through the help of the Tri-County Community Action Agency Victoria and her family were able to maintain their home in their time of need and enjoy the holiday season.