Natalie’s Steps to Financial Independence and Housing Stability

As a participant of Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Step rental assistance in Ketchikan, Natalie has spent five years working to obtain financial independence and stability for herself and her children.

She first accessed Housing Choice Vouchers in 2021. Five years later, she is transitioning out of the program and preparing to be fully financially independent.

“I want people to know that if they are struggling, Alaska Housing is there and can be a source of support.”

Steps to Financial Independence

Five years ago, Natalie says she was struggling with addiction and could not afford a place to live. 

“I was basically homeless,” she recalls, “I couldn’t afford to rent a place on my own.”

Recognizing that she needed support to regain housing stability, Natalie turned to Alaska Housing. She signed up for the Housing Choice Voucher and, when she reached the top of the waitlist, navigated the process of finding housing with a voucher on the private market. 

“I got paper in the mail with a list of potential landlords and properties,” she recalls. She began the search for appropriate housing for her and her three children, who she had part-custody of at the time. “There were instructions along the way of what to do and how to do it,” she says.

She shortly identified appropriate housing that accepted her housing voucher, offered her stability and provided a consistent location for her kids to call home. Previously, her kids would sleep in the living room. Now she says they have their own room with bunk beds.  

As a Housing Choice Voucher participant, Natalie was enrolled in Step, which offers five-year rental assistance that gradually increases the contribution of participating families. In the first year, a family’s rent is 28.5% of the gross income. After year five, the family is fully responsible for their unit’s rent.

Natalie is fully transitioning away from rental assistance in November 2026. 

Jumpstart and Financial Literacy

A large part of her journey was AHFC’s Jumpstart, which provides housing voucher participants access to training and resources to help them become more financially independent. Step participants like Natalie are strongly encouraged to sign up and work with their Jumpstart case manager to establish long and short-term goals that fit their family’s education, training, employment and financial needs to become economically independent by the end of their housing assistance. 

Natalie enrolled in Jumpstart from the very beginning of her Step journey, when she was connected with her caseworker Paige. For years, they’ve met regularly to go over Natalie’s financial and personal goals.

“Paige is wonderful to work with,” Natalie says. “She has great tips for financial stability and we’ve built a strong relationship over the last five years. She’s been to Ketchikan a few times and I’ve had the opportunity to say hello in person.” 

As a Jumpstart participant, Natalie enrolled in financial literacy classes and accessed support and scholarships when possible. 

“I’ve accessed all the incentives I could along the way,” she says. “Jumpstart provided support when my car broke down. When I got a new job, it helped me with funds to buy professional clothes.” 

Among the financial incentives that Natalie accessed were:

• Work rewards for sustained employment
• Help with short-term transportation costs
• Education rewards for completing trainings
• Starting a savings match nest egg she will receive when she leaves housing assistance.

A few years ago, the Youth Summer Camp and Activity Scholarship helped her fund activities for her kids to provide them another space to play and interact with peers.

Through it all, she participated in Jumpstart’s financial literacy class series: Money$ense. When she started, Natalie shared that she had little saved for retirement. Now, she contributes to her retirement, in addition to what is provided by work, and continues to regularly set money aside toward her personal savings and emergency funds. 

“I’ve learned so much about responsible financial decisions,” she says. 

Paige, AHFC caseworker, has watched Natalie maintain focus over the years they have worked together toward Natalie’s goals. 

“She made clear and achievable goals and didn’t let barriers slow her down – she kept her eye on the prize and found ways around those obstacles every time,” Paige says. 

On to What’s Next

Five years into AHFC rental assistance, Natalie has achieved financial independence.

In 2025, Natalie accepted a job as a Peer Support Specialist at True North Recovery. In this role, she provides support to people working toward mental health and/or substance use recovery. It’s a position that offers room for continual learning and growing. 

“There is no ceiling on what I can learn,” Natalie says.  

She is pursuing continuing education, hoping to learn applicable and transferable skills. In July 2026, she wrapped up a Peer Support Professional 1 certificate. Her next goal is continuing her education with the aim of becoming a Chemical Dependency Counselor.

Natalie is preparing to fully transition out of rental assistance this year, in a different stage of life from where she started. She now has full-time custody of her children and plans to look for a new apartment that will be the perfect fit for her family.  She is looking forward to what is next and says she is saving up for a future trip to Japan. 

“I am proud,” she says. “I am proud of working my way from not being able to afford a place, to changing my job, to getting in recovery and being able to afford my current place and being financially independent.” 

“Alaska Housing first made it possible for me to rent my place, and now I’m able to fully rent on my own.”

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We recognize that Natalie's story is exceptional and some Alaskans may be in need of safe, quality, affordable housing. If you require housing resources, we encourage you to contact Alaska 2-1-1. This free, confidential resource can help you to locate assistance in your home community. Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221 or visit alaska211.org.

To learn more about AHFC's rental assistance programs, visit ahfc.us/tenants.