Do I qualify for the Family Promise Program?
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Family Promise of Aiken County helps families with custody of minor children who live in Aiken County and are:
1. Experiencing housing insecurity (lacking a stable, safe, and affordable place to live) with an immediate risk of losing all housing options. We help families keep existing housing or alternative safe housing to avoid eviction, which prevents homelessness.
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2. Experiencing homelessness right now, to help families avoid entering shelter by maintaining or identifying a safe, alternative place to stay.
If you are a family in danger of losing your housing or currently homeless (without a place of your own), and committed to positive change for a brighter future, Family Promise of Aiken County is here for you.
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How do you define families?
This includes adults who have custody of a child under the age of 18 or who are pregnant. We accept all sorts of families. Single parents, couples, grandchildren, LGBTQIA+ couples, and extended family caregivers are all welcome.
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When do I apply?
Families should apply as soon as they recognize a crisis is coming. Don’t wait! Begin gathering resources and apply for help by completing the online form in the yellow box or by clicking here.
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Do I need to apply more than once?
Families should apply ONE time per year only, unless their information and/or circumstances have changed significantly. Send an email to intake@familypromiseofaiken.org if uncertain.
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What does Family Promise do?
We work to empower families experiencing a housing crisis to become financially stable and achieve lasting independence.
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We take a whole person approach, walking side by side with families to break the cycle of housing insecurity.
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We work to ensure that every child has a home.
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Our guiding principles are client choice, respect, and empowerment.
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We provide case management support that is tailored to each family’s needs. This includes housing assistance, financial coaching, and resources that deliver results.
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We offer support through 3 programs:
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Eviction Prevention Program, which supports families in preventing homelessness through maintaining their current housing situation if deemed safe and appropriate, or relocating the family if their current housing situation is not safe and appropriate.
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Shelter Diversion Program, which helps homeless families avoid the stress and trauma of entering shelter by maintaining or identifying a safe place to stay.
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Stabilization Program, which empowers families into lasting independence to break the cycle of housing insecurity.
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Additional help:
Family Promise may be able to provide financial help to families actively engaged in our Programs when it is necessary and appropriate.
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For families experiencing a housing crisis and at risk of homelessness, this assistance may include help with past-due rent or utility bills to stabilize your household. For families who are already homeless, financial help may cover move-in costs to secure safe and stable housing. For families participating in our Stabilization program, financial assistance can support you in achieving long-term goals on your path to independence and lasting stability.​​​
​I am at risk of becoming homeless. What do I do?
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Our Eviction Prevention Program is here to help.
If your family is in the eviction process, you are at risk of losing your current housing within the next 14 days, and lack the resources to find a new, safe place to live, Family Promise can work with you to keep your family safely housed.
How we can help:
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Helping you stay in your current home or find a safe place if you’ve already lost housing.
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Providing support from a Family Coach who will help you create a plan to move beyond the crisis.
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Connecting you with landlords, rental units, and other resources that fit your needs.
How to get help:
Complete the online form 24/7 in the yellow box or by clicking here.​​
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I am already homeless. What do I do?
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Our Shelter Diversion Program is here to help.
If you are currently homeless, our Shelter Diversion Program works with families to find safe and stable housing without having to enter a shelter. We know that this can reduce stress and trauma for you and your children.
We define homeless as a family who has:
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Lost your housing and are unsheltered (for example, living in a car or somewhere not meant for living), or
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Staying temporarily in a place owned or controlled by someone else (for example, being doubled up with family or friends, or staying in a motel).
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How we can help:
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Finding or keeping a safe place to stay
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Assisting with move-in costs
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Providing support from a Family Coach to develop a path to move beyond the crisis
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Connecting you to landlords, rental units, and other resources that fit your needs.
How to get help:
Complete the online form 24/7 in the yellow box or by clicking here.
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I want to improve my housing situation. What do I do?
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Our Stabilization Program is here to help.
Family Promise’s Stabilization Program supports families with children as they work toward lasting housing stability and independence. This free program is designed for families who have resolved an immediate housing crisis but want continued support to remain stably housed and build a stronger future.
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Through the Program, you will work with a dedicated Family Coach who will walk alongside you to:
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Strengthen your housing stability.
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Set and achieve personal and family goals.
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Build confidence and skills to maintain independence.
We focus on the whole family, offering caring, practical support to reduce the risk of housing insecurity or homelessness in the future
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How to get help:
Complete the online form 24/7 in the yellow box or by clicking here.
Good Tenancy Training:
Family Promise also offers a free Keys to Good Tenancy course for anyone in Aiken County who wants to:
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Improve their current housing situation.
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Become a stronger rental applicant for future housing opportunities.
We partner with community organizations and experts to provide this course at no cost to you. Learn more here.​​​​​