FAMILY SUPPORT
THE NEED
When life throws an unexpected crisis at a hardworking family, the consequences can be devastating. A parent’s illness. A child’s medical emergency. A job loss. Cancer treatments. A death in the family. Car repairs. A paycheck gap when changing jobs.
For families living paycheck to paycheck, even a few missing dollars can trigger eviction
— and the loss of their home.
In Jacksonville, the situation is especially urgent. According to the Eviction Lab, evictions have risen 45% since 2020, and Jacksonville now has more evictions per 1,000 residents than any other city in Florida. Combined with rising rents, families
are facing a perfect storm.
Our response is the Family Support Program — a prevention‑focused approach that pairs financial assistance with case management, resources, and encouragement to move families from uncertainty to stability.
HOW IT WORKS
Using prevention and diversion funds, Family Promise steps into crisis moments to turn despair into hope. Working alongside the family — and often their landlord — we create a plan to stabilize the situation and keep them housed.
Families also develop a Housing Stability Plan, designed to strengthen long‑term stability and reduce the likelihood of future crises.
When we can divert a family from entering shelter by providing targeted financial assistance now, everyone benefits. It saves the community money, keeps children in their schools, protects parents’ employment, and preserves the dignity and stability every family deserves.
Prevention isn’t just cost‑effective — it’s life‑changing.