Supporting Family Reunification Through Housing

Stable housing is often the difference between a family in crisis and a family on the path to healing. Without a safe, affordable place to live, parents remain stuck in survival mode, unable to focus on healing or rebuilding the trust needed to reunite with their children. Housing creates the stability families need to move forward together. 

In 2025, One Family Illinois supported 27 families in securing safe, affordable housing – about one family every two weeks. During a national housing crisis, finding housing is difficult for anyone. For families navigating child protective services, the barriers are even higher, and the process can feel overwhelming or impossible. For L. Manatis, housing support meant the difference between living on the street and being reunited with her son. After fleeing an abusive relationship, she had no stable place to live and limited means to support herself. While she stayed temporarily with a friend, L. worked alongside our housing advocate to create a plan for long-term stability and recovery.  Through consistent partnership and support, she secured housing and created a safe environment for her son. Today, they have been reunited and thriving for more than six months. 

Our housing support doesn’t end when a lease is signed. When C., a mother of six, faced  ongoing housing issues, our team stepped in to elevate her voice. Our team worked with property managers, tenant rights organizations, and legal aid partners to address concerns that C. could not resolve on her own. The process was often overwhelming, marked by unexpected fees and threats of eviction. Still, C. never wavered in her commitment to create a safe and supportive home for her children. 

Today, all of her children are home, and their family is moving forward on a path toward longterm stability and a brighter future. L. and C.’s stories reflect what is possible when families are supported with stable housing and strong advocacy.