Bidding farewell to homelessness
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
A local woman has been given the opportunity to reestablish herself as a housed member of the community.
Crystal Rippy became homeless on May 24, 2026, with her 10-year-old son.
“The people I was living with jumped up and told me they were moving. We didn’t have anywhere to go. I work part-time and that’s not enough. Thankfully, The Haven was able to provide us a place to stay.”
After three months of uncertainty, she was provided a hand up, not out, by McMinnville Action to Create Housing (MATCH), Homeless of McMinnville Effort (HOME) and 30 generous supporters who contributed to help her secure an apartment.
MATCH was established in 2025 and aims to create a community effort involving likeminded individuals and provide support services and rental assistance to qualified individuals such as Rippy.
According to Brad Durham, the total yearly rent amounts to $10,800 or $900 per month. While supporters contributed $3,000 to help subsidize the family’s rent, MATCH provided $7,800 upfront. The tenant will repay $4,200 to MATCH at a rate of $350 per month, in addition to covering utilities.
“HOME has also played a vital role by assisting with part of the security and utility deposits, helping secure furniture, and providing ongoing supportive services,” Durham added.
Sheila Fann is the executive director of HOME. The Haven is one of its divisions and provides a place for women with children to stay as they transition from homelessness into secure housing.
“She was on a waiting list, but thankfully, this happened and she didn’t have to wait any longer,” said Fann. “They [MATCH] had a candidate that turned out not to be a viable candidate, and Brad Durham called me and asked if we had a woman with a child or children that would be a candidate. I said, ‘yes, we sure do.’ So, I nominated her. The rest is history. She has her home now.”
Fann added, “Through our thrift stores, we were able to fully furnish their home with everything. Everything, except the child’s bed and that came from the teacher’s center.”
It’s a misconception that homelessness is a choice. Rather, it is the result of structural, social, or personal circumstances, although a small minority may actively choose it.
“We had a man call today,” said Fann. “He was roommates with his mother. He’s in his 60s and he’s disabled. He has COPD and emphysema. He’s on oxygen; not constantly, but enough so that he does have to have it. His disability check is just a little over $900 a month. His car payment is $400, plus he pays insurance. He’s been living in his vehicle for the last nine days. His mother died four to fives weeks ago. They lived way below the poverty level, so there’s no savings to pull from. She passed and they couldn’t share the bills anymore, so he’s now living in his car. Homelessness wasn’t a choice for him.”
Rippy, who is actively seeking full-time employment, expressed her appreciation for The Haven, MATCH and HOME for its assistance in helping her bid farewell to homelessness.
“Thank you, so much. God bless them for what they’ve done to help me and my son,” she stated.
If anyone would like to help Rippy with a few items, such as a washer and dryer, she can be reached at 931-309-9775.