New Family Housing Program

New Program is Empowering Families through Housing and Support Services

Intermountain Centers, known for its pioneering efforts in community-driven solutions, has launched a groundbreaking program aimed at transforming the lives of families with children. In partnership with Compass Affordable Housing, the Family Vista program offers housing support for up to 12 months, designed not only to provide shelter but also to empower families to enhance their assets and access vital services. The program features six, two-bedroom and two, four-bedroom units.

Recognizing that stable housing is a cornerstone of overall well-being, Intermountain Centers has taken a holistic approach to address the challenges faced by families. By providing a safe and supportive environment, the program aims to alleviate the stressors associated with housing instability, allowing parents and children to focus on personal growth and development.

The program's innovative feature lies in its dual focus on financial empowerment and service accessibility. During their stay, families receive comprehensive assistance in financial literacy, budgeting, and asset-building. This equips them with essential skills to secure their financial future, fostering a sense of independence and confidence.

Furthermore, Intermountain Centers, and its affiliates, provide a network of services to enhance the support of these families; they will greatly benefit from easy access to these services, ensuring that children receive the support they require while parents can take advantage of job training and counseling services.

Studies have repeatedly shown that children's well-being is closely linked to their family's stability. By addressing both housing and service needs, Intermountain Centers' Family Vista program not only improves the immediate living conditions but also creates a positive ripple effect for the future generations.

Intermountain Centers' new program stands as a beacon of hope for families grappling with housing insecurity. By offering a supportive housing environment, financial empowerment, and access to critical services, the initiative holds the potential to break the cycle of poverty and uplift the lives of countless families.

"We are excited to open the Family Vista Program, transitional housing specifically designed to support families. Intermountain Centers, in collaboration with Compass Affordable Housing, will support and assist families by providing services and helping them to increase their assets so that they can move on to permanent housing. Intermountain Centers staff, leadership and Board of Directors has made a commitment to fund this program as a means of giving back to the Tucson community." 

Rose M. Lopez

President & CEO

Secure front Entrance Beautifully landscaped grounds Welcoming entrances to units

Due to a limited rental market with few affordable vacancies, people with the lowest incomes may be forced to rent substandard housing that exposes them to health and safety risks, such as vermin, mold, water leaks, and inadequate heating or cooling systems.  They may also be forced to move in with others, potentially resulting in overcrowding.  Overcrowding is defined as more than two people living in the same bedroom or multiple families living in one residence.  Overcrowding may affect mental health, stress levels, relationships, and sleep, and it may increase the risk of infectious disease.

Housing costs that are more than a household can reasonably afford can lead to foreclosure or eviction (a forced move).  Forced moves may also happen if a landlord is in foreclosure or the property is deemed unsafe for living.  Foreclosures cause loss of money and possessions and can damage the social fabric of neighborhoods.  Evictions that go through the court system result in a permanent record, which can cause potential landlords to refuse to rent to evictees in the future.  Research has shown that renters who are forced to move are more likely to relocate to poorer and higher-crime neighborhoods compared to those who move voluntarily.  Evictions may be especially traumatizing to residents due to short relocation notices. Suicide rates linked to stress doubled between 2005 and 2010, when the United States experienced historically high rates of foreclosures, including foreclosures on rental properties.

Housing instability may impact some populations more than others. Moving three or more times in one year, often called "multiple moves," has been associated with negative health outcomes in children.  Children who move frequently are more likely to have chronic conditions and poor physical health.  They may also be less likely to have consistent health insurance coverage.