When it comes to walking alongside families on their journey to stable housing, Allison believes in the power of showing up—literally. As part of our scattered-site team, Allison meets families where they are, traveling across Dane County to connect with them in their homes. Her work centers on relationship-building, flexibility, and creating space for honest, empowering conversations. Whether she’s juggling a last-minute schedule change or offering a helping hand during a home visit, Allison brings compassion, consistency, and a strong sense of purpose to every visit. In her own words, no two days are the same—and that’s exactly what makes the work so impactful.
Q: What does the Scattered Site team do at The Road Home Dane County?
A: The scattered-site team meets with families all over Dane County to provide case management and support. They help with everything from rent and resources to building strong relationships with landlords.
Q: What makes this different from on-site staff?
A: Scattered-site describes how The Road Home supports families by meeting them in their homes. Our work includes rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs out in the community. Since our families live all over Dane County, I’m constantly moving from place to place. On-site staff work with people in apartment complexes where they have offices, so it’s easy to meet in one central location. With scattered-site, I plan my day around the different neighborhoods I need to visit to meet families where they live.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
A: There really is no typical day, and I kind of like that. Some days start slow with just a few visits and some admin work. But then I might get last-minute meetings or calls. Other days are fully booked, but end up with several cancellations.
Q: What does a home visit look like?
A: It really depends. A meeting can be as short as 15 minutes or last up to two hours, depending on what the family needs. If the family is stable—rent is paid, employment is steady—then the meeting might be quick. We check in on bills, housing issues, landlord communication, and then shift focus to longer-term goals like improving employment, working toward a GED, pursuing higher education, or setting goals for their children. Some families want to move into a larger space or be closer to schools or relatives, so we’ll talk about the steps involved and how to plan for that financially and logistically.
Q: What do you think is the benefit of meeting people where they’re at?
A: They don’t have to worry about transportation, which is a barrier for many families we work with. It also helps me get a real sense of how they’re settling in. For example, if the apartment feels cold, I can help address a potential heating issue. Or if they have young kids, I can lend a hand while we work together. If their building has a property manager on-site, I can walk down with them to address concerns in person. It’s all about building support in the environment they’re living in.
Q: What does the process look like when supporting someone moving out of homelessness into stable housing? What’s the first step?
A: Speaking specifically about the voucher program, I usually start by meeting families in shelters. I don’t dive right into the nitty gritty—instead, I want them to get to know me and explain how the program works. When someone is experiencing homelessness, they often face barriers like limited housing history or employment gaps. I set the expectation early that this journey will take time. We’ll hear a lot of “no” before we get to that “yes,” but we keep going. I make sure they know that I’m in it with them.
Q: What do you hope people take away when they learn more about what your team does?
A: Our work is very similar to on-site teams, but we fill an important gap for people facing transportation barriers. We’re able to offer flexibility to families.
Q: How do you go about initiating and strengthening relationships with landlords?
A: The first thing I do is introduce myself to the property manager—either in person or by email—when someone moves in. I let them know I’m the housing case manager and how long I’ll be involved. I usually ask for a copy of the lease and open the door for communication, so if any concerns come up, they can reach out and I can help mediate.
Q: How have strong landlord relationships helped prevent housing crises like evictions?
A: One example that comes to mind is a landlord who reached out to me when a tenant on my caseload received a 30-day notice. She was new to me, so I didn’t have much context. I contacted the landlord right away, reviewed the payment ledger with them, and we worked out a solution. Because we had clear, timely communication, we were able to prevent an eviction.
Q: What does a successful long-term housing situation look like to you?
A: It starts with a strong foundation—being honest with your landlord, especially if you’re going to be late on rent. Communication goes a long way. A successful housing situation requires both the tenant and the landlord to do their part. The tenant needs to follow lease expectations, pay rent on time, and communicate, while the landlord needs to maintain a safe property and be responsive to tenant concerns. It’s a two-way street.
Relationships at The Heart of Housing
Housing is about more than a roof—it’s about trust, connection, and showing up for people in ways that matter. When case managers meet families where they are, they’re not just offering support; they’re building a foundation for stability that lasts.
From juggling surprise home visits to sitting down with landlords to resolve concerns, every step is rooted in relationships. These moments—big and small—add up to something powerful: families who feel seen, landlords who feel heard, and case managers who feel like true partners in progress.
Stability doesn’t happen overnight. But when people feel supported on all sides, that’s when real, lasting change takes root. That’s what this work is all about.