Client Story: Cammie

When Cammie first learned about Jesse Tree, she was in eviction court. That morning, when walking into mediation with her property manager, she was introduced to one of Jesse Tree’s Eviction Court case managers. She was nervous; walking into court is nerve-wracking under the best conditions, but as a mother of two children, facing eviction, this hearing shook her deeply. 

In mediation, Jesse Tree was able to help guide Cammie through what her options were. They discussed her balance, Jesse Tree’s role in eviction proceedings, and what outcomes the landlord was hoping to see. The landlord was not willing to let Cammie stay, but after discussion, they were willing to agree to an extended move out agreement, giving Cammie and her kids more time to plan their next steps. 

A mother sits on a cluttered bed with her child while packing to move.

Although Jesse Tree was not able to keep Cammie in that rental unit, she successfully avoided an eviction judgment and was connected to Jesse Tree’s Housing Navigation program. Jesse Tree’s Housing Navigation case managers quickly got in touch with Cammie, assessing what housing she would be able to afford and if her family had any special considerations when looking for a new place to live. 

In the Housing Navigation program, case managers work to identify potential barriers to signing a new lease. High fees for applications and security deposits can create substantial barriers for households needing to find a new place to live. Housing Navigation engages in hands-on budgeting and sustainability practices and helps to identify rentals that tenants are most likely to be approved for. This helps mitigate high fees and get families housed quickly. 

Typically, the housing navigation process takes longer than most Jesse Tree programs. Where ERA case management can take 3 weeks, housing navigators may have tenants on their caseload for a few months until a rental is secured. Housing navigation case managers can also help individuals navigate applications for other forms of assistance. For a single mother with two kids like Cammie, having a form of support to navigate difficult or tedious applications can be imperative.