Former Banker Uses Expertise to Prevent Housing Insecurity

When David took a buyout from his career in banking operations, his future was unclear. His original plan was to take off nine months before returning to the workforce, but with the rise of COVID-19 and the new reality of a national lockdown, not everything went according to script.

It wasn’t until he came across a Star Tribune article about the newly introduced Heading Home Corps program that David first became interested in this position.  During a conversation with friends about homelessness and drug use, he realized the disconnect between himself and his peers with people experiencing life-altering circumstances like housing insecurity. “I just thought, they don’t have a clue about what’s going on in the real world. And I thought, well, what am I doing to help?”

In August of 2022, David began serving as a Housing Resource Navigator at Mediation and Restorative Services in Blaine, Minnesota, a Heading Home Corps site that works to provide accessible, affordable mediation and restorative practices to underserved populations. He saw it as an opportunity to use his finance background in a different setting: One that was oriented towards social services and non-profit work.

“For me, I have experience with addiction having relapsed last year after six years of clean time,” David says of what pushes him to help others. “I attend meetings and have a sponsor. I realize when working with participants facing or experiencing home insecurity that that could be me. I have been pretty fortunate, and it feels good to help in small ways.”

As his first term with Heading Home Corps came to a close, David reflected on the connections he has made with participants, along with his own learning experiences in the housing system. Most of his job entails spending time in housing court and meeting with people who are facing eviction. Not only has he become more educated on the services available for people facing eviction, but how exactly to go about connecting with participants who are experiencing this potentially devastating outcome.

David says many of his participants have endured a major life event, such as job loss, death of a loved one, or hospitalization that has led them to be faced with eviction. When they are left not knowing what to do or what to expect out of housing court, David acts as a support system – and not just logistically.

As housing insecurity is a deeply emotional issue, David says it’s important to find a balance between empathy and working towards solutions. “In court we focus on the immediate issue. It isn’t until I meet with participants the second or third time that I start to learn more of their story and what led them to where they are,” he explains.

While his interactions with participants can be sensitive, there are many rewarding experiences that make his service worthwhile. In his first term, six different participants of David’s were working to pay what they owe and redeem their tenancy but were still served with a writ by the sheriff and were less than 24 hours of being forced out of their home. Through relationships with volunteer attorneys, David learned how tenants can file a motion to stop the writ in certain circumstances. All six of these participants were able obtain assistance to stay in their homes.

“In this role you’re not going to end [homelessness], but you can treat people with respect, empower them to make decisions, and you can really make a difference to people who don’t normally ask for help,” David says, citing that less than 20% of his participants were aware of housing & financial resources available to them before meeting with him. “We can reach out to them and make their experience better, and that’s what I’ve learned this year.”

As for future plans, David is excited to return to Heading Home Corps for another year of service this August.  He is not sure yet of what’s to come after but says he may use his award to cover the costs of an Outward Bound expedition.  Whatever his future holds, it’s clear that his service has provided David with not just a change-of-pace from his career in banking, but a truly enlightening experience.

The best part of serving according to David? Taking part in helping someone maintain their housing and stay in their home.

If you’re interested in preventing housing insecurity in your community, learn more at Ampact.US/Heading-Home. Apply now to start serving in August, October, or January!