Basic Financial Management formulas

Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. (CAC) provides a variety of housing and homelessness prevention programs. While these programs target different populations, they all have one thing in common—every program participant receives case management along with financial assistance. CAC has found this to be a very effective program model with populations including chronically homeless people with disabilities, struggling single parents, veterans facing homelessness, and Section 8 participants who are at risk of losing their housing

A myriad of issues can contribute to an individual or family becoming homeless or at risk of losing their housing. Often a complex combination of a lack of financial resources, a turn of bad luck, and disabling and/or chronic medical or mental health conditions leads to a household becoming homeless. In order to tackle these issues, CAC has found that while financial assistance helps to fill gaps temporarily, it does little by itself to help a household become more stable and resilient in the face of future challenges.

The following are some 2012 success stories from CAC’s services in Dane and Jefferson counties that illustrate the power of this program model:

John is a single male with a disability who was living in transitional housing and was without income, health insurance, or any way to obtain his prescribed medication when he was referred to CAC. CAC accepted John into the Home for Good program, long-term, community-based housing for homeless persons with disabilities in Dane County. Along with his own apartment and basic furnishings, John received intensive case management. His caseworker helped him obtain needed supportive services including health care, BadgerCare, education assistance and other support to help increase his self-sufficiency.

Now John is attending weekly therapy sessions, has access to his prescribed medication and is one class away from completing his Bachelor’s degree at Madison College. John also has a part-time job and is able to pay a portion of his rent. He is currently on the waiting list for subsidized housing and looking forward to becoming fully self-sufficient.

Jenny was a stay-at-home, middle class mom who was left homeless, with no income after fleeing an abusive relationship. She was in a homeless shelter while her three children stayed with their aunt until their mom was able to find suitable housing.