After a recent illness forced him to miss work, one employee found himself falling behind on household bills. Within weeks, he was two months late on rent and staring down the possibility of eviction. Afraid that an eviction record would make it nearly impossible to rent an apartment in the future, he picked up the phone and called the CCA Access Line, which is always staffed by licensed clinicians (not customer service reps). From the very first call, members receive professional guidance that blends emotional support with practical next steps.
Eviction doesn't just threaten housing; it's one of the most destabilizing events an employee can experience. Research shows that housing insecurity has a direct impact on workplace performance, absenteeism, and health costs.
The master's-level EAP counselor who answered the call provided immediate emotional support and conducted a risk assessment to steady him in the moment. From there, she walked him through practical next steps, explaining how our Work-Life Services could connect him to community agencies that offer financial help with rental arrears, low-cost legal guidance, and food assistance to ease the burden of other living expenses. She was careful to set realistic expectations, cautioning him that each program had its own eligibility rules and strict intake processes.
Behind the scenes, CCA's Work-Life team acted quickly, researching local organizations that could provide rental and food support and identifying the area's legal aid society for assistance with tenant–landlord issues. They went a step further by connecting the employee directly to their legal benefits as part of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), ensuring he received a free consultation on his rights and options. This coordinated effort combined empathy, resourcefulness, and swift action, going beyond a standard referral to give the employee both immediate reassurance and concrete paths forward.
With support in place, the employee was able to stabilize his housing situation and, just as importantly, regain a sense of security. No longer carrying the weight of wondering where he would live, he could bring his full focus back to work.
For the organization, the impact went beyond resolving one crisis to reinforcing trust. The employee experienced firsthand that his employer's resources could step in during a vulnerable moment, which not only fostered loyalty but also strengthened the relationship between employee and organization.
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