SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Last month, Lori-Lynn Noriega, her husband Ernie and their daughter were in desperate need of help. They were homeless, living in a motel and having trouble finding a place to rent because they had little credit and no rental history.
Ernie, who's a veteran, and Lori-Lynn both suffer from disabilities. After having no where else to turn, Lori-Lynn says a friend told her about ABC15's "Let Joe Know on the Road" event.
"She had sent me a text that said, 'You need to go to Tempe market place tomorrow because Channel 15's going to be there and there's going to be people there that can talk to you and maybe help you'," she said.
ABC15 gave the family resources. We also aired their story, prompting viewers to donate money to them. "It was off the charts," Lori-Lynn said, adding she personally thanked every person who pitched in.
"I addressed them by name, told them how much I appreciated their help," she said. "All those people as a collective, they helped us get this far."
Lori-Lynn has since found a job and a renter willing to take a chance on them. On Wednesday, she gave ABC15 a tour of the new apartment they're renting. "The relief is just unbelievable," she said.
if you are in need of help, there is a full list of resources here:
2-1-1 Arizona
877-211-8661
www.211Arizona.org
The 2-1-1 helpline and 2-1-1 Arizona website provide information on agencies and various other community resources.
Central Arizona Shelter Services
602-256-6945 x3059
www.cassaz.org
Provides shelter and support services to homeless adults and families. Services include showers, clothing, hygiene items, and case management.
Arizona Department of Housing
602-771-1000
http://www.azhousing.gov/
Arizona's state housing agency provides information on apartment rentals, emergency repair and housing rehabilitation, eviction or foreclosure assistance, fair housing laws, homeownership assistance, and section 8 housing. Also, offers unemployment, underemployment and reinstatement mortgage payment assistance as well as short sale assistance in addition to principal reduction assistance to qualified Arizona homeowners.
Human Services Campus Welcome Center
602-229-5155
Provides support for homeless adults.
Lodestar Day Resource Center
602-393-9930
www.lodestardrc.org
Provides assistance with housing, obtaining identification, job search, locating health care, food, and counseling services for the homeless. Also manages a mailbox for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Family Housing Hub
602-595-8700
Provides support for homeless families and connections to community shelters.
Circle the City
602-776-9000
http://www.circlethecity.org/contact
Circle the City embraces people experiencing homelessness with compassionate medical care and meaningful human services as they journey toward healthy, independent living.
City of Phoenix
602-262-4422
www.phoenix.gov/housing
Offers low rent public housing, scattered sites home ownership, the affordable housing program, and senior and disabled housing programs for income eligible individuals and families. Applications required, and most programs have a wait list.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
602-379-7100
www.hud.gov
Offers information and referral assistance on homebuying, avoiding forclosure, rental assistance, fair housing laws, and subsidized housing options. Also, offers assistance locating affordable housing in your area.
St. Joseph the Worker
602-417-9854
www.stjwjobs.org
Offers support to homeless, low-income, or other disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient through permanent, full-time employment. Facility offers computer access, work clothing, resume assistance, bus tickets for interviews and work, and various job and life skills related courses. Also offers some professional clothing and housing/utility assistance.
Salvation Army
602-267-4122
www.tsasw.org
Offers utility assistance for individuals and families experiencing a crisis. Also offers homeless outreach services, including assistance finding shelter or transitional housing. Also offers a yearly Christmas Angel Program.
St. Marys Food Bank
(602) 242-3663
www.firstfoodbank.org
Provides food boxes for those in need.
Ozanam Manor
602-850-6900
Provides transitional shelter for homeless men and women over 50 years of age, or over 18 with a disability. Program fees are 30% of income (if applicable).
