The Key Before the Keys: Unlocking Stability Through Pre-Rental Support
A Talk by Charlise Smith and Richard Stephenson
About this Talk
Affordable housing should be more than a safety net — it should be a springboard to stability and self-sufficiency. Yet too many families enter housing without the tools to sustain it, leading to cycles of eviction and financial hardship. Willissae’s Agency for Vision and Empowerment (WAVE) addresses this challenge with a proactive approach: pre-rental counseling. WAVE’s program prepares families before they sign a lease, focusing on five key pillars: understanding lease terms, budgeting for sustainability, adopting a renter mindset, evaluating income potential, and planning for long-term housing goals. Through a partnership with the Allegheny County Housing Authority, this model is empowering Housing Choice Voucher recipients to transition from renters to homeowners. The session will highlight how trauma-informed support, case management, financial coaching, and workforce readiness can reshape affordable housing into a pathway for lasting economic mobility.