United Way helps save family from homelessness

Contributed by United Way of Greater CincinnatiKaren Bell had to do something. Her sister and her five children were in danger of becoming homeless. Despite being in a precarious financial situation herself, Bell helped pay their rent.“Our family has always been a family that helps each other,” said Bell, who is 33 and lives in Over-the-Rhine. “Even if you’re down to your last, you’ve got to help each other.”By assisting her sister’s family, Bell and her 17-year-old daughter nearly found themselves in the same situation.“Eventually I fell behind on my rent,” said Bell, who works at a discount store and lives paycheck to paycheck. “I thought I could catch up. But I couldn’t. I cried. I knew I didn’t have the money to save my apartment. I knew if I didn’t get help, for sure I would be homeless.”She sought help by calling the agencies on a list provided by her rental office. She got nowhere until she dialed United Way 211, the resource and referral helpline.She spoke to a United Way Care Coordinator who determined that Bell was eligible for the Access to Counsel eviction-prevention program, which provides rent assistance and legal counsel to families facing eviction. In addition...