The COTS Housing Resource Center

In 2004, COTS began offering a limited Homelessness Prevention Fund that provided emergency, one-time grants to prevent people from losing their housing. As the need grew, the program evolved to keep up with the demand.

This effort led to the creation in 2008 of the COTS Housing Resource Center (HRC) -- a “one stop shop” for people seeking affordable housing and rental assistance. Low-income households often end up in emergency shelter due to an unforeseen event beyond their control, such as a job loss, unexpected medical bills or a major car repair.

HRC staff identify individuals and families in financial trouble and link them with resources and support before they are evicted or face foreclosure action. They also maintain an ongoing list of housing available for rent and work with a network of more than 50 landlords who rent to COTS clients.

In its first year of operation, the HRC averted homelessness for 351 households through one-time grants to help with unanticipated expenses and prevent eligible households from eviction or foreclosure.

In 2010, COTS helped 450 low-income households experiencing financial crisis avert homelessness and stay in their housing. The Housing Resource Center also helped 278 households move into housing by administering security deposits that otherwise would have taken months for struggling families to save. In 2011, COTS helped 300 households avert homelesssness and 182 households received security deposit grants and loans to move more quickly into permanent housing.

In its first three years of operation, the COTS prevention program assisted 1,507 households with homeless prevention and security deposit grants and loans. This represents 2,800 people, including 1,167 children. Of these households helped, 816 were families -- 98 percent of those families retained their housing.

The COTS Housing Resource Center has worked with more than 200 landlords in the community while helping homeless households transition to permanent housing through security deposit grants and loans.

Of those served through the HRC, the primary reason for needing assistance: 45 percent because of job loss or reduction in hours; another 16 percent requested help because of illness.

How You Can Help

If You are at Risk of Becoming Homeless