Friday, January 27, 2012

A “Hand Up”, Not a Handout:  Housing Choice Voucher Participant Moves Toward Self-Sufficiency, Gives Another Family a Chance to Succeed

Sonia Sabath, a former participant in the Housing Choice Voucher program, recently gave up her voucher so another family would have the same opportunity to succeed.  Sonia, who had a voucher through the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, left the program last November and moved into a new home. 

Over the years, Sonia worked as many as three jobs at once in an effort to give her three children a better life. When Sonia had trouble making ends meet, she applied for and received a Housing Choice Voucher. The rental assistance she received with her voucher allowed her to focus more on her children.  Now adults, Sonia’s children all have successful careers; two them have master’s degrees and one is planning on becoming a doctor. 

Sonia prides herself on providing for her children and is grateful to the Housing Choice Voucher Program.  “I appreciate all that the housing authority has done for me. As a single parent of three, I was able to raise my children in a safe and caring environment. I would like a family to have the same opportunity as I had.”

Sonia also appreciates the assistance that Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development staff provided her.  “The staff guided me to this path of success.” Sonia currently takes English as a Second Language (ESL) classes; her dream is to go back to school, become a registered nurse, and buy a condominium in the future. 

Sonia Sabath