At 18, Ellie was living in a tent in a wildlife preserve near Talbert Park—doing her best to survive, but unsure how to move forward.
One day, her phone buzzed alerting her that she had a voicemail.
It was from her son.
She could hear it in his voice—he was struggling.
“That was the catalyst,” she said. “I knew I needed to do it for him. Make it better for him.”
That moment changed everything.
Her story is deeply personal—but it reflects something much bigger: how housing programs solve homelessness, and why supporting them now is more urgent than ever.
From Survival to Stability
Ellie became a mother at 13. A few years later, she left home, but faced difficult circumstances which led to Ellie and her partner experiencing homelessness.
Eventually, they settled in a tent in a forested preserve.
Life there was unpredictable—and often dangerous.
Still, like many experiencing homelessness, long-term housing didn’t feel like an immediate possibility. Survival came first.
Until she heard about a housing program from others nearby.
People were talking—some had already been connected to housing.
So, she took a chance.
Within a month, she had a home.
Today, she still lives in that same apartment in Lake Forest.
And from that foundation, everything began to change.
She earned her high school diploma, regained custody of her son, completed a medical assistant program, and began building a career.
None of that would have been possible without stable housing.
That’s the reality our community should understand: housing programs solve homelessness by creating the conditions for people to rebuild their lives—not just survive.
A Safety Net That Changes Everything
Life doesn’t suddenly become easy once someone is housed.
There have been times when Ellie experienced a temporary layoff.
Without support, that kind of disruption could quickly spiral back into homelessness.
That is why initiatives like United to End Homelessness are crucial.
Housing programs provide people like Ellie with something many have never had before: a safety net.
“When situations arise, I don’t run the risk of being homeless right away,” she explained. “There is support.”
That’s the difference between crisis and stability.
It’s also why housing programs solve homelessness not just once—but over time.
Ellie’s son now lives with her permanently. They have a home, a routine, and a future they can plan for.
But the fear of losing it all is still very real.
“If housing programs cease to exist… what happens to my son?”
Why These Programs Matter More Than Ever
Ellie didn’t just rebuild her life—she started paying attention.
After seeing news reports about potential funding cuts to housing programs, she began researching, asking questions, and looking for ways to help.
“It affects me, so I want to be informed,” Ellie shared.
That search led her to something bigger than her own story.
“It’s not just about me. There are so many other people this would affect.”
People with different paths—but the same need for stability.
“My success is thanks to the support of these programs,” she said. “I don’t know where I would be without them.”
What Safe Housing Really Means
When asked what having safe housing means, her answer was simple:
“It means everything.”
Not just a roof.
Not just stability.
Her son’s future.
The ability to plan ahead.
The ability to live without constant fear.
“What happens to us if we don’t have housing?” she asked. “What happens to my son?”
These are the questions families carry every day when support feels uncertain.
More Than a Program—A Path Forward
Ellie’s experience tells an important story about recovery and rebuilding.
“These programs aren’t meant for people to rely on forever,” she said. “They help you build stability, learn responsibility, and contribute so you can eventually sustain yourself.”
Now, she’s thinking about what comes next.
Her long-term goal?
To become a nurse.
With time and stability, that goal feels within reach. Without it, the path becomes far more difficult.
That’s the hidden power behind these programs: they don’t just stabilize the present—they make future goals possible.
The Backbone of Stability
Ellie has become a passionate advocate and a powerful voice with the wisdom of lived experience.
When asked her thoughts on Orange County United Way’s WelcomeHomeOC housing navigation program, Ellie responded emphatically.
“Programs like that are the life support for so many families in our community. It’s the backbone—keeping people afloat.”
Ellie and her partner are doing everything they can to move forward.
“We’re doing what we need to do to be successful,” she said. “But our safety and stability rely on these programs. They help—and they work.”
What’s at Stake If Funding Is Cut
When asked what she would say to decision-makers considering funding cuts, her response was urgent:
“Please don’t.”
Because the consequences go far beyond housing.
“It’s self-esteem. A sense of belonging. Psychological stability. Social progress.”
Without housing programs like WelcomeHomeOC:
- Families would be displaced
- Progress would be undone
- More people would return to homelessness
- Countless children would face lasting emotional and systemic impacts
“It’s a domino effect,” Ellie said. “So many things would crumble.”
And in the end, the cost—both human and financial—would only increase.
“It is far more cost-effective to keep people housed,” said Becks Heyhoe-Khalil, Executive Director of United to End Homelessness. “On average, it costs just $2,500 per youth or family to resolve an immediate housing crisis and put them on a path toward long-term stability. Whereas, it costs the county $100,759 for a chronically unhoused person to stay on the streets.”
Those numbers tell their own story: for the cost of one short-term emergency, the trajectory of a young person’s life can completely change.
A Message of Hope—and a Call to Act
Ellie is determined to shine a light on the topic and get her message out to everyone who can make an impact.
“Whether it’s donors, supporters, advocates, community members—we need to work together to ensure these programs have funding so support will be available for the next family who needs it.”
Her message is clear:
- Housing programs solve homelessness.
- They keep families together.
- They create stability when it’s needed most.
- They turn survival into opportunity.
“I’m proof that there is help—and that it makes a difference,” Ellie said.
And right now, more than ever, it matters—for our neighbors and for our entire community.
Continue Reading
Raising Awareness about Affordable Housing in Orange County
When the Car is Your Home: A Local Man’s Story
Want to get involved with this work?
Orange County United Way’s United to End Homelessness initiative offers virtual educational opportunities, like Homelessness 101, to equip residents with the knowledge and tools they need to raise awareness, take action, and advocate for housing solutions in Orange County.
Housing programs solve homelessness:
Watch real-life success stories:
Hear from more individuals who have participated in Orange County United Way programs.
Get involved and be UNITED4OC:
You can be a part of a community effort to improve lives.
