Stories from Love Forward Homes
Love Columbia established Love Forward Homes in 2015 to provide transitional housing for families with children experiencing homelessness. Since the program’s inception, over 70 families have reset their lives and secured permanent housing.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING EXPANSION COMING 2025
A ten-plex housing facility will be located on our property at 1221 E Ash St.
Robert was working a temp job to keep himself and his son, Antonio, in a hotel. On the days he didn't have the funds to keep a roof over their heads, he would drive Antonio to his grandmother's place while he (Robert) would sleep in his car.
When Robert reached contacted Love Columbia for support, a Love Forward Home had recently become available. He and his son moved into the home, and Robert began participating in financial coaching where he also received the support to obtain identification documents and his CDL permit, which led to him getting hired full-time through the City of Columbia.
Click the video to hear his full story.
When Vicki became the sole caregiver of her four grandchildren, their arrival pushed her into homelessness as her landlord would not allow the expanded family to squeeze into Vicki’s two-bedroom apartment.
Love Columbia moved Vicki and the children into a Love Forward Home where Vicki received financial and housing coaching to prepare to move to permanent housing. With the help of her coaches, she began the difficult search for a four-bedroom rental home in the children’s school district. It was especially important to Vicki to keep her middle school granddaughter in the school band program that meant so much to her.
When the perfect place was secured, some of our staff and many volunteers joined in to load up The Love Seat truck to move her belongings to the new home. Within a week of securing permanent housing, Vicki became the official adopted parent of the children.
Porsha had everything lined up for a smooth transition to Columbia: a move in date, a full time job, and all four kids enrolled in school.
But when their housing plans unexpectedly fell through, their only other option was to stay in a hotel while searching for a rental. As Columbia’s average weekly rate hotel stay is $400, their living expenses more than depleted her savings - even with a full time job.
Porsha reached out to Love Columbia for help, and her family was able to move into a Love Forward Home just before Christmas! She thrived in the program’s financial coaching component and saved 30% of her income throughout her stay in the home.
Porsha successfully graduated Love Forward Homes and is now renting a home of her own!