| STEP FORWARD - 2026 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| Project Purpose
The purpose of this $5,000 grant from the Stoughton Area Community Fund is to provide direct support for HATS’ STEP FORWARD program, helping local families and older adults move from housing instability toward safe, stable housing and a stronger future.
Implementation Timeline: Funds will be used throughout the grant period to respond to housing needs as they arise, with expenditures beginning as soon as funding is received. HATS will coordinate with the Stoughton Area Resource Team (START), Stoughton Senior Center, landlords, schools, and other community partners to identify households in need, secure appropriate housing, and provide the support necessary to help participants remain successfully housed.
Planned Activities: Grant funds will help support housing-related expenses for STEP FORWARD participants and the practical resources surrounding each housing placement. Activities may include rental assistance, preparing and furnishing apartments, providing essential household and personal items, connecting participants with food and other community resources, and supporting the case management and advocacy that help households maintain housing stability.
HATS volunteers and community partners will continue to assist with apartment preparation, moving and furnishing, fundraising, community outreach, food and personal essentials pantries, and other activities that help new residents establish a safe and welcoming home. HATS will also continue building relationships with local landlords willing to provide housing opportunities to households who may otherwise struggle to secure a lease.
Expected Community Impact: The immediate impact will be greater housing stability for approximately 10–15 Stoughton-area residents, including children, families, and older adults. Stable housing provides children with greater consistency in their education and daily lives, gives adults a foundation from which to pursue employment and other goals, and helps older adults remain safely and independently connected to their community.
The broader impact will be a stronger Stoughton community. By preventing homelessness and helping households remain housed, STEP FORWARD reduces the disruption and human cost associated with housing instability while strengthening connections among schools, social services, landlords, nonprofits, faith communities, volunteers, and residents.
At the conclusion of the grant period, HATS hopes to have not only helped |
| Project Description
The Housing Advocacy Team of Stoughton (HATS) is requesting $5,000 from the Stoughton Area Community Fund to support STEP FORWARD, a community-based housing stability program serving families with children and adults age 55+ who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or living in unstable housing within the Stoughton Area School District.
STEP FORWARD is built on the Housing First model: we begin by helping people secure safe, affordable housing and then surround them with the support needed to remain housed and move toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. HATS partners with the Stoughton Area Resource Team (START), Stoughton Senior Center, supportive landlords, the Stoughton Area School District, City of Stoughton, faith communities, nonprofits, and community volunteers.
The need remains significant. HATS has identified affordable housing as one of the greatest barriers facing local families and older adults. Currently, STEP FORWARD is helping three families and one senior resident maintain stable housing. The requested $5,000 will help sustain housing assistance and the supportive services that make these placements possible, while allowing HATS to respond when additional households experience an immediate housing crisis.
During the grant period, we anticipate directly benefiting approximately 10–15 individuals, including children and adults in several households. The impact extends beyond those directly housed: stable housing helps children remain connected to their schools, enables adults to pursue employment and other goals, and allows older adults to remain safely and independently in the community.
HATS also engages local volunteers in meaningful, hands-on ways. Volunteers assist with furnishing and preparing apartments, food and personal essentials pantries, fundraising, grant preparation, marketing, community outreach, and other activities that help families successfully transition into housing. We anticipate more than 100 volunteer hours supporting STEP FORWARD during the grant period.
Our goals are to:
• Maintain safe, stable housing for participating households.
• Reduce the likelihood of returning to homelessness.
• Help families and older adults increase self-sufficiency and self-determination.
• Strengthen partnerships with local landlords and community organizations.
• Expand community support and resources for addressing homelessness.
• Provide a coordinated, compassionate response to hous |
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