MIFA Housing Opportunities Program While homelessness is often temporary, it can lead an individual or family to a state of despair. But families who find MIFA's Housing Opportunities (MHO) program get a new lease on life and a chance to rebuild broken lives. Designed especially for families who have been homeless, the program has grown from its original eight homes in 1984 to include 100 housing units today. MHO is transitional housing, not a shelter. It is a hand up, not a handout! Residents must actively contribute to their success by maintaining jobs, paying "rent," attending Life Skills classes and abiding by MHO rules and policies. But the counseling, legal help, training, housing and encouragement residents receive from MIFA are not the end of the story. At the completion of their year-long stay, families leave with something extra. Emboldened with new skills, behaviors and renewed hope, families are also given the furniture from their MHO apartments and their own funds to start over - the money they paid to MIFA as rent is refunded. This creative combination of tangible and intangible support is the secret to MHO's success. Primary funding for MIFA Housing Opportunities in FY2008 came from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Butler Snow Foundation. Presley Place Press, Summer 2007