Struggle for affordable housing grows with large families

Affordable housing for small families is hard enough to find, but large families down on their luck have much greater challenges - a fact the nine members of the Hammons family knows all too well.

Amanda and Ryan Hammons, their six children aged 19 months to 15 years, a grandparent and a dog will be homeless by Wednesday unless they find a new place to live.

Despite both having full-time jobs, persistent financial problems and a looming eviction from their rented condo in Arlington Heights means the couple is struggling to find an affordable apartment or house large enough for their family.

Amanda Hammons has gone to one overburdened Northwest suburban social service agency after another, and while each was sympathetic, they could only suggest trying a different agency. She knows that if it comes down to it the family can go to a shelter, but fears being separated.

"Being together makes us stronger," she said. "We support one another. We're a family. Families stick together no matter if it's bad or good."

With both parents working at restaurants, leftovers from work have been keeping food on the table while Ryan and Amanda search for a new home.

Experts on low-cost housing in the Northwest suburbs aren't hopeful about the family's chances.

The average homeless family has three people, said Jennifer Hill, executive director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County. Anything larger can be more difficult to place.

"Really large families are exceptional and it's challenging when a large family needs help," Hill said. "It's not uncommon to have one- and two- bedroom apartments readily available, but three bedrooms are harder to find. The bigger the family, the harder it is."

Hill said that with the prolonged recession and lack of resources, stories like the Hammons' are not uncommon. She said for every eligible family that can be assisted, there are four or five that cannot.

The Hammons should consider leaving Cook County for more far-flung suburbs, said Carol Jansik, director of human services for the village of Arlington Heights. She said the number of people looking for help has ballooned well past what the county's resources and social service agencies can handle.

In more distant suburbs and communities downstate there isn't as much competition for resources. Jansik said sometimes sacrifices are necessary to get out of a bad situation.

"You do what you have to do and it's not always going to be convenient," she said. "When you have a family you have to do what is needed to provide for them, if that means moving or driving further to a job, so be it."

While there are subsidized housing programs and transitional housing programs available, Jansik said they fill up quickly and have long wait lists. Jansik knows of one family that had to wait five years for housing.

"Money is part of the solution, but even if you have money and there aren't any large enough apartments, all the money in the world won't change that," she said, adding that the real need is for more affordable housing in the suburbs.

The Hammons also need money, for a security deposit and rent. Their church, the Northwest Assembly of God, has agreed to accept donations in the family's name to help with expenses once they find a place to live.

"We're praying there is someone in the Northwest suburbs that will take a chance on them," said Pastor Rich Weller.

People who want to donate can write checks out to the Northwest Assembly of God, care of the Hammons Family, 900 N. Wolf Road, Mount Prospect.

Amanda Hammons readily admits her current situation is a result of bad choices and mistakes, as well as bad luck. But she says her faith will carry her through.

"God will provide," she said.

She said she is trying to focus on a brighter future, that will involve a stable home for her children. Her mother lives with them and takes care of the children while Amanda and Ryan work.

"We don't claim to be a perfect family because we're not, we have our troubles like everyone else," Amanda said. "But, we're just a regular family like anyone else, trying to make it and raise our kids right."