The Housing Access Fund is a new initiative from Jo-Anne's House, created for working families who have steady income and can afford rent but are screened-out because of credit barriers.
The Fund connects these families with apartment communities willing to offer more flexibility around credit requirements, backed by financial protection that lowers the community's risk. Jo-Anne's House stays involved after move-in, providing ongoing coaching and monthly check-ins to help families remain housed and prepare for homeownership.
Watch how a single guarantee turns a screened-out applicant into a protected, approved resident.
A qualified family with steady income is denied because a credit barrier makes them look too risky to approve.
A credit report doesn't always reflect who someone is today. A person can rebuild their finances, secure steady income, and still be denied housing because of something in their past.
That same past can also create risk for apartment communities. When someone falls outside standard tenant-screening guidelines, it's often the risk, not the person, that leads to a denial.
The Housing Access Fund addresses both sides of the issue. Participants get another opportunity to qualify for a lease, while apartment communities receive financial protection and a partner invested in the outcome.
Renting gives families the time and stability needed to strengthen their finances and prepare for what's next. Through ongoing monthly check-ins, participants keep building their credit, savings, and financial habits while working toward homeownership.
Every six months, participants meet with a lender to see where they stand, what still needs attention, and how close they are to becoming mortgage-ready.