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Two of her guests were a Bay Area couple from Pacifica who got help thanks to San Mateo County's home-sharing program called HIP Housing.HIP stands for Human Investment Project.
Laurie and Alec Keit were guests on Oprah's show. In their days in the corporate world they had it all.
But, it was not enough
"It was just money. That was the only thing keeping me there. And, I decided it's not enough anymore. So. I became a garden designer," Laurie said.
Alec gave up the IT world to become a handyman.
Then, things began to unravel.
"I had a heart attack and that caused a big change," he said.
Then pneumonia contribited to $120,000 in medical bills. Their savings disappeared.
"You add a couple of things like that together, plus a home that we used to have income to afford and we don't anymore, and you're in trouble," said Laurie.
They began selling things, downsizing. Then, they found out about the County's HIP Housing. It screens people looking for a place to stay and matches them with homeowners.
"People are losing their homes. They're losing their jobs. They're having their work hours reduced and losing their retirement income. So, we've definitely seen an increase in the number of people coming to our programs," said Laura Fanicchi with HIP Housing.
Hip Housing brought United Flight attendant Lori Medina to Pacifica.
"The minute I walked into this home I knew I was home," she recalled.
She had just come to the Bay Area from Indiana.
"I was desperate. I needed a place to live with my daughter who is 17, immediately," she said.
It has worked. She has a place to live and the Keits have not lost their home.
Laurie says she has had to swallow her pride. But, she wants people know there is hope. If the programs help just one person, that is really what it is all about.
"The atmosphere here is lighter again," said Lauire.
"Open your home. Open your heart. There are great people out there," added Medina.
Hip housing was founded in 1972. Besides always trying to help connect people, the program is always looking for volunteers. Click here for more information.
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