Homelessness is a year-round issue. Falling on tough times can happen to anyone, especially with high rental prices. A study done by the National Low Income Housing Coalition says the housing affordability crisis is nationwide and impacting every county in the U.S.

Lauren Sumahit once called the Project LIFE homeless shelter in Newburgh home. She’s meeting with her former case manager, Haydee Giametta, who supported her on her journey from homeless to permanent housing.

Sumahit lived at Project LIFE for about six months. She was there with her son, Andrew. He was 2 at the time.

“I felt like, you know, I could relax, I could say I’m in good hands,” she said. “It felt like people cared about me.”


What You Need To Know

  • A study done by the National Low Income Housing Coalition says the housing affordability crisis is nationwide and impacting every county in the U.S.

  • Lauren Sumahit's life was once chaotic, bouncing from place to place with her son, but two years ago she transitioned from the homeless shelter into permanent housing

  • Haydee Giametta, a case manager at Project LIFE, creates a supportive and empowering environment for people at the shelter to achieve a brighter future

  • Sumahit is grateful to Social Services but wishes more could be done to assist single parents after leaving the shelter

Sumahit’s life was once chaotic, bouncing from place to place. This visit was a chance for her to walk down memory lane. She visited an empty apartment that resembles her old one. Project LIFE gave her diapers and a crib.

“Project LIFE is like my family away from family to offer that support,” she said. “They were direct liaisons from me to the Social Services agency, maybe I couldn’t get to Social Services, but they could get information from me and send it to Social Services. And when I needed to go to work, they had a van to come get me.”

She picked herself up to create a better future for herself and her son. She moved into permanent housing two years ago.

“Encouraging, empowerment, let them know that they can do it,” said Giametta, a case manager at Project LIFE. “Let them know they’re smart, let them know that you can do it, it’s nothing impossible; if you try hardest, you’re working out.”

Sumahit wishes more could be done to assist single-parents who need financial assistance for day care or transportation to and from work. Before the visit ends, a surprise for her: Giametta brought Sumahit to her actual old room.

Natasha Dubose lives there now with her son. She moved into the shelter more than six months ago.

Dubose is achieving her own milestone. She’s about to move into permanent housing herself. All the credit, she says, goes to Giametta.

“I’m so grateful to even experience this because it’s a blessing,” Dubose said.

Sumahit says she’s grateful to Social Services for providing resources even after her homeless shelter journey.