The Springfield Republican reports on a family that has recently been housed with rapid rehousing assistance.
Photo by Don Treeger / The Republican
Karleen M. Ramos and her family sit in front of a Christmas tree in their new apartment on Main Street they got through the assistance of HAP Housing. Sitting with Karleen are her children, Misael I. Rios, 6, Javeion Anthony Rosa, 2½ and Keianna I. Rios, 5.
SPRINGFIELD – Karleen M. Ramos has no special plans for Thanksgiving.
Just being home is special.
Ramos, 23, and her three children, ages 6, 5, and 2½ moved into a new apartment on Nov. 2, after being homeless for about two years.
Ramos, a single mother and unemployed, who grew up in Springfield, said she sought help from HAPHousing of Springfield as a “last resort,” never expecting to find a home in time for the holidays.
“That was my fear every night, going to sleep,” Ramos said. “There were many nights that I cried. I just didn’t want my kids to have to keep moving from place to place. It’s not easy for kids.”
During an interview at her new apartment, she began crying as she spoke about the impact homelessness has had on her children including past stays in family shelters, a domestic violence shelter and a state-funded motel room, and being unable to find or afford an apartment.
HAPHousing found her a two-bedroom apartment in the North End within a day, and she moved in two days later. HAPHousing provided the money for the first month’s rent and the security deposit. She receives other public assistance.
Read the full story–and see the video–here.
