Couple settled in apartment thanks to Key to Home program

An Oklahoma City couple, once spending cold winter nights in a homeless encampment is getting back on their feet, thanks to the city's "Key to Home" partnership.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - An Oklahoma City couple, once spending cold winter nights in a homeless encampment is getting back on their feet, thanks to the city's "Key to Home" partnership, which strives to provide a place to live to the unhoused.

Sabree Edelman has settled into her apartment. It's decorated with paintings from her daughter.

"She showed an interest very young," said Edelman.

It's a hobby Edelman has also picked up.

"There's never a mistake in art. You can always change it into something else if something doesn't turn out right," said Edelman.

This is a stark contrast to where she and her boyfriend, Ray, were last year after they fell on hard times. The couple survived the cold winter in an encampment near the Oklahoma River.

"We had tents. [Everyone] built a fort pretty much," Edelman said. "There was a day that was like 15 below zero and we were out in it."

Thankfully, the Homeless Alliance team came through. Taylor Self, with the organization, said the outreach team goes from camp to camp.

"By just kind of engaging with every single person who's living there and offering them the same opportunity," said Self.

"They asked us if we wanted an apartment, and we were like, 'Yeah,'" said Edelman.

From there, the Homeless Alliance partnered with the city's "Key to Home" program. It's a collection of organizations, agencies, governments, even landlords and apartment complexes.

"From going from there, you were also connecting with other community partners. It's all about collaboration," said Self.

Edelman and her boyfriend also have case managers.

"They can help you get jobs, help you get your social security just kind of like things you should be getting, but you just didn't have the means to get it," said Edelman.

Now Edelman has a job cleaning apartments. She's going to appointments and setting goals.

"Just focusing on getting my kids back in right where I was before everything happened," said Edelman.

While she makes steps forward, you'll likely find Edelman outside, with her dogs, with Ray, or creating art.

"You really don't know how its going to turn out," said Edelman.

In a Facebook post, the Homeless Alliance said "Programs like this that meet people where they are provide a great alternative to ordinances or laws that criminalize homelessness. When we meet our neighbors with kindness and resources rather than tickets or fines, we open the door to a future where everyone has a safe place to call home."