Housing for Success works with school districts to reduce homelessness and support family stability in Dakota County

In October of 2023, 360 Communities launched Housing for Success, a new partnership with Dakota County school districts and Dakota County to reduce homelessness among students. In the program’s first year, our staff secured stable housing for 82 students and 30 families.

Grandmother finds support from Housing for Success

Miyah Johnson moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to Minnesota in search of a better life for her family. Decades later, Miyah became the guardian of four grandchildren. Last year, due to the pandemic and inflation, Miyah and her grandkids became homeless. “We went from a four-bedroom townhouse to one room in a hotel. That was devastating for me and the kids,” Miyah recalls.

School social worker connects the family with 360 Communities

The cramped space and financial strain took a toll on the family, both emotionally and academically. Struggling to make ends meet while paying $589 a week for the hotel, Miyah felt overwhelmed. “I was angry at the world. I didn’t want to talk to anyone because my news wasn’t good,” she admits. The grandchildren began experiencing difficulties in school, prompting the social worker at one school, Emily, to connect her with a new 360 Communities program: Housing for Success. “I started working with Miyah’s family four years ago when her grandson was a kindergartner,” Emily says. She recognized the systemic barriers working against the family and its impact on her grandson. She suggested that Miyah contact 360 Communities for support.

Housing for Success provides resources

Miyah soon met 360 Communities Housing Navigator Andy. Together, they navigated obstacles like her credit issues and her need for basic resources like food and clothing. Miyah was relieved that Andy could help her. “I had been getting told no so much, and when he told me that he could help me, I was smiling before I got up from the table,” Miyah says.

Miyah finds work to support her family

Determined to improve her situation, Miyah secured two full-time jobs. “I needed that income so I could move into a place,” she says. With Andy’s assistance, she saved enough money and moved into a new home on February 1st. Using funding available through the Housing for Success program, Andy satisfied her outstanding debt with a previous landlord and helped her with move-in costs for a new apartment. Andy continued to support the family by providing furniture, coats, and gift cards. “She was happy for her grandkids because they have a bed to sleep on now. They don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore,” Andy says. Today, Miyah and her grandchildren are thriving. “It feels so good to have a place to call home,” she says.

Her outlook on life has transformed, and she’s even dreaming bigger. “I can see me growing into this place and, you know, even having a dream to own my own house now. I’m on the right track,” Miyah says. Her story is a testament to resilience and the impact of community support. “Don’t be scared of a ‘no’ because there’s a yes behind it. And my ‘yes’ was 360 Communities,” she says.