Blessed by Rent Relief

Ana Blackburn is a single mother of three living in Bend who works in the restaurant industry. She moved into her rental home last December but almost immediately struggled to keep up with her bills after breaking her leg in January.

“I wasn’t able to work. I was gifted some money and people were really kind to us from January until I went back to work mid-February,” said Ana. “And then COVID happened.”

When the pandemic hit, Ana was temporarily laid off. Even after returning to work, she didn’t work enough hours to cover her family’s expenses.

“I was blessed with unemployment benefits and the CARES Act and all that, but you know things just haven’t been the same in our industry, and I’m only working part time right now,” said Ana. “It just got to a point where I just didn’t know how I was going to foot the bills for everything on my own anymore.”

NeighborImpact’s Housing Stabilization program came through with COVID Rent Relief funds to cover the family’s rent. “I am just feeling extremely blessed, and my kids are too, with the help of the NeighborImpact program,” said Ana. “We’re able to try and get back on our feet right now and get by without paying rent. It’s been a big blessing to my family.”