Crossroads: A Supportive Housing Community in Columbia

What Crossroads offers residents

Crossroads is a supportive housing community in Columbia operated by Habitat for Humanity Midlands. It provides permanent housing paired with on-site support services for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Unlike traditional apartments, Crossroads combines affordable rent with case management, mental health counseling, job training, and life skills programming—all designed to help residents stabilize and move toward self-sufficiency.

The community houses residents in individual units within a managed property. Rent is income-based, meaning what you pay depends on your household income rather than a fixed monthly amount. This structure makes housing affordable for people whose earnings are limited or irregular. Crossroads staff work with each resident to address barriers to stable housing, whether those are employment gaps, health issues, legal concerns, or lack of documentation.

Residents are not required to be employed to live at Crossroads, though the program encourages work and provides resources to help people find jobs. The focus is on meeting people where they are and supporting them through the transition to independent living.

Key Takeaways

• Crossroads provides permanent housing with income-based rent and on-site support services including case management and counseling.
• The program serves people experiencing homelessness or housing instability and pairs housing with job training and life skills programming.
• Rent is calculated based on your household income, not a set monthly rate, making it affordable for people with limited earnings.
• Habitat for Humanity Midlands operates Crossroads and can provide information about current availability and how to inquire about residency.

How income-based rent works at Crossroads

Income-based rent means your monthly payment is a percentage of your household income rather than a flat fee. This approach recognizes that residents may have unstable or part-time work, disability benefits, or other variable income sources. The exact percentage varies, but typically residents pay between 25 and 30 percent of their gross monthly income toward rent.

To determine your rent, you will need to provide documentation of household income. This might include recent pay stubs, benefit statements (Social Security, disability, unemployment), tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If your income changes—you find a job, lose a job, or your benefits adjust—your rent adjusts accordingly. This means as your financial situation improves, your rent increases gradually rather than forcing you out when you earn more.

Income-based rent removes a common barrier to housing: the requirement to earn three times the monthly rent. Many people experiencing homelessness cannot meet that threshold, so Crossroads's approach opens housing to people who would be turned away by standard landlords.

Support services included with residency

Crossroads residents have access to case management, which means a staff member works with you to identify goals and connect you to resources. Case managers help with employment, benefits navigation, healthcare, legal issues, and housing stability planning. This is not a one-time conversation—it is ongoing support tailored to each resident's needs.

Mental health counseling and substance abuse support are available on-site or through referrals. Many people experiencing homelessness have experienced trauma, mental illness, or addiction; Crossroads recognizes these as part of the housing stability picture and provides or connects residents to treatment. Job training and placement assistance help residents build work skills and find employment. Life skills programming covers budgeting, cooking, health, and other practical topics.

The goal of these services is not to control residents' lives but to remove obstacles to stability. Residents are expected to follow community rules and work toward self-sufficiency, but the program acknowledges that people need support to get there.

Who can live at Crossroads

Crossroads serves people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the Columbia area. This includes people living on the street, in shelters, in cars, or in temporary housing; people facing eviction; and people at risk of homelessness due to job loss, medical crisis, or family breakdown. There is no minimum income requirement—in fact, having no income does not disqualify you.

Residents must be at least 18 years old and willing to participate in the program's support services. This does not mean you must be employed or have perfect credit; it means you are open to working with staff toward housing stability. Crossroads does not exclude people based on criminal history, though serious violent felonies or sex offender registration may affect placement.

Families with children, single adults, and couples are all served. Crossroads has limited units, so availability varies. The program prioritizes people with the greatest need—those who have been homeless longest or face the most barriers to housing.

How to inquire about Crossroads

Contact Habitat for Humanity Midlands directly to ask about Crossroads and current availability. You can reach them by phone or visit their office in Columbia. They can tell you whether units are available, what the application process looks like, and what documentation you will need to bring.

If you are currently homeless or in a shelter, your case manager or shelter staff may also be able to refer you to Crossroads. Many social service agencies in the Columbia area know about the program and can help connect you. If you are working with a nonprofit, church, or government agency on housing, ask them whether they have a relationship with Crossroads or can make a referral.

The program does not have a formal online application system; you will need to contact them directly. Be prepared to discuss your housing situation, income, and any barriers you are facing. Habitat for Humanity staff will explain what Crossroads offers and whether it is a good fit for your circumstances.

What to expect after moving in

Your first weeks at Crossroads will include meeting your case manager, learning community rules, and setting initial goals. You will have a lease, just as you would in any apartment, but the terms are designed to support residents rather than penalize them. For example, if you fall behind on rent due to job loss, your case manager works with you on a plan rather than immediately filing for eviction.

You are expected to maintain your unit, follow community guidelines, and engage with support services. This might mean attending job training sessions, meeting with your counselor, or participating in life skills workshops. The program is structured, but it is structured to help you succeed, not to punish you.

As your situation stabilizes—you find employment, address health or legal issues, build savings—you and your case manager will discuss next steps. Some residents stay at Crossroads long-term; others move to independent housing once they are ready. The program's goal is to give you the foundation and support to make that choice yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be employed to live at Crossroads?

No. Crossroads serves people with no income, part-time work, disability benefits, or other income sources. Income-based rent means your payment adjusts to what you actually earn. The program encourages employment and provides job training, but you do not have to be working to move in or stay.

What if my income changes after I move in?

Your rent adjusts based on your reported income. If you get a job, your rent will increase, but gradually and proportionally to your earnings. If you lose income, your rent decreases. You will need to report income changes to your case manager so rent can be recalculated.

Are there rules about guests or visitors?

Crossroads has community guidelines that include policies on guests and visitors. These vary by property and situation. Ask about specific rules when you inquire about the program. The goal is to maintain a safe, stable community environment while respecting residents' privacy and relationships.

What happens if I cannot follow the program rules?

Crossroads works with residents to address rule violations through conversation and problem-solving rather than immediate eviction. Your case manager will discuss what happened and what needs to change. Serious violations or repeated non-compliance can result in eviction, but the program tries to support residents through challenges first.

How long can I stay at Crossroads?

There is no set time limit. Some residents stay for a few years while stabilizing; others stay longer. You and your case manager will discuss your goals and timeline. The program is designed for permanent supportive housing, meaning you can stay as long as you need the support and follow community expectations.