How we help women facing homelessness
The Chase Home oversees three housing programs for women facing homelessness in Anne Arundel County. Our Women's Housing Programs provide funding through agencies and nonprofits organizations so that property owners are paid and tenants have an opportunity to get established in their new home or stay in their current home and get back on their feet. The outcome for those at risk is overwhelmingly positive and benefits not only the women tenants and their children, but also benefits the landlords leading to a new lease or negotiated settlement rather than an eviction and turnover of a housing unit. Many of the women we fund are single with children or elderly and on a fixed income.
Our Programs
Women's Rent Eviction Prevention Program
Established in 2021, the Rent Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) provides funding to prevent the eviction of women facing judgement who are represented by attorneys at Community Legal Services (CLS). Chase Home assists their clients by providing funding so that property owners are paid and tenants have an opportunity to get back on their feet. CLS's Anne Arundel County Eviction Prevention Legal Program also allows Chase Home to refer families at risk of eviction due to loss of income to CLS with confidence that they will receive quality legal assistance to stabilize housing for those at high risk of eviction. CLS attorneys provide free legal aid and negotiates with landlords to protect the tenant and enable them to stay in their homes. In 2024, St. Margaret's Church approved grant funding in support of this program.
Women's Eviction Prevention Emergency Discretionary Fund
Established in late 2022, the Women's Rent Eviction Emergency Discretionary Fund (EDF) allows for the immediate disbursement of funds to women facing imminent eviction by partnering with our Benevolence Coalition members who require additional funds to prevent homelessness. St. Anne's Grants Committee has provided grant funds in support of this program in both 2023 and 2024.
Women's Rehousing Relief Fund
Introduced in the fall of 2024 as a result of an increase in need to rapidly rehouse unsheltered women, the Rehousing Relief Fund (RRF) provides funds for first month's rent or security deposit on rental properties in Anne Arundel County for women who are currently unsheltered and in need of a new home or need to be rehoused from their current home due to safety and other issues. We work with our partners Community Action Agency, the Lighthouse Shelter and St. Vincent de Paul in support of this program.
Thank you for your amazing response for our mutual EPP client/neighbor. Teamwork makes the dream work and we love having you on this team! Thank you for always going above and beyond.
Kathleen Hughes, Supervising Attorney, Anne Arundel County Eviction Prevention Legal Program, Community Legal Services.
Impact Report by Heather East
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