Homeless organizations play a crucial role in providing essential resources and support to those in need. From offering shelter, food, clothing, and counseling to partnering with other agencies for job opportunities and additional services, these organizations are lifelines for many individuals.
They remind people that there is hope and a way out of homelessness.
These organizations are important because they provide resources and support for people who are struggling with homelessness.
Homelessness is a complex issue, and it can be difficult for people to get back on their feet without some assistance. Homeless organizations offer a variety of services, including shelter, food, clothing, and counseling.
They also often partner with other agencies to help connect people with job opportunities and additional services. Most importantly, homeless organizations provide hope.
They remind people that there is a way out of homelessness and that they are not alone. For many people, homeless organizations are a lifeline.
Homelessness is a growing problem in the United States, and organizations are struggling to keep up with the demand for their services.
Key facts and data points about homelessness in America
- Homelessness has been on the rise since 2017, experiencing an overall increase of 6 percent.
- In 2022, counts of individuals (421,392 people) and chronically homeless individuals (127,768) reached record highs in the history of data collection.
- Unsheltered rates are also trending upward, impacting most racial, ethnic, and gender subgroups.
- Homeless services systems continued to expand the availability of both temporary and permanent beds in 2022, but these resources still fall short of reaching everyone in need.
- Homelessness rose by a modest 0.3 percent from 2020 to 2022, a period marked by both pandemic-related economic disruptions and robust investments of federal resources into human services.
These statistics are from The State of Homelessness: 2023 Edition Report: The State of Homelessness: 2023 Edition uses data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide an overview of the scope of homelessness in the U.S. on a given night in 2022, and illustrate emerging trends. Data in this report is pulled from HUD’s 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count data, as well as Housing Inventory Count data. Read the full report.
As you reflect throughout the year, think of all the goodness that you’ve encountered and pay it forward through supporting these impactful organizations helping eradicate poverty, provide shelter and community, and economic empowerment to our nation’s homeless and low-income population.
Inspiring Homeless Organizations
StandUp for Kids
StandUp for Kids works to end the cycle of youth homelessness through outreach, housing support, and mentorship.
- Mission: To end the cycle of youth homelessness.
- History: Since its founding in 1990, StandUp for Kids has grown to operate in cities nationwide.
- Impact: Provides outreach, mentoring, housing support, and life skills training, helping thousands of homeless youth each year.
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
The NCH works tirelessly to end homelessness through advocacy, public education, and grassroots organizing.
- Mission: To prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met.
- History: Established in 1982, NCH has been at the forefront of homelessness advocacy and education.
- Impact: Successfully influenced policies, increased public awareness, and supported local organizations in their efforts to provide direct services.
Covenant House
Covenant House provides shelter, food, and crisis care for homeless and runaway youth.
- Mission: To serve suffering children of the street and to protect and safeguard all children.
- History: Founded in 1972, Covenant House now operates in 31 cities across six countries.
- Impact: Offers comprehensive support services, helping over 74,000 homeless youth annually find safety and stability.
Carpenter’s Shelter
Carpenter’s Shelter is a prominent nonprofit organization in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The shelter provides comprehensive services to help clients achieve sustainable independence and stability.
- Mission: To support the homeless in achieving sustainable independence through shelter, guidance, education, and advocacy.
- History: Founded in 1988, Carpenter’s Shelter has grown from a small, volunteer-run organization to a leading provider of services for the homeless in the region.
- Impact: Offers a range of services including emergency shelter, case management, educational programs, and job training. The shelter serves over 600 individuals annually, helping many transition to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
Mercy Housing
Mercy Housing develops affordable housing and provides supportive services to help individuals and families thrive.
- Mission: To create stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing.
- History: Established in 1981, Mercy Housing has grown into a leading affordable housing nonprofit.
- Impact: Manages over 23,000 affordable housing units, helping tens of thousands of residents maintain stability and achieve self-sufficiency.
Back on My Feet
Back on My Feet uses running to help homeless individuals build confidence and self-sufficiency.
- Mission: To combat homelessness through the power of running, community support, and essential employment and housing resources.
- History: Founded in 2007, Back on My Feet has chapters in 12 cities across the U.S.
- Impact: Provides job training and housing support, helping hundreds of individuals achieve self-sufficiency each year.
Beyond Housing
This St. Louis, Missouri based organization exists simply because having a home matters. Their homes and housing preservation focuses on quality and stability to help get those in need back on their feet.
Beyond Housing focuses on providing community to allow their residents to thrive, by providing assistance with education, health, economic development and job readiness and access.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
This organization is dedicated to ending homelessness through research, policy, and capacity-building.
- Mission: To prevent and end homelessness in the United States.
- History: Established in 1983, the Alliance has become a leading voice in homelessness research and policy advocacy.
- Impact: Influenced national policies, supported local efforts, and provided technical assistance to improve service delivery.
ShelterBox
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster.
- Mission: To provide emergency shelter to families who have lost their homes to disaster, enabling them to rebuild their lives.
- History: Founded in 2000, ShelterBox operates in over 100 countries worldwide.
- Impact: Delivered emergency aid to millions of people, offering critical relief and shelter in times of crisis.
Coalition for the Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless is the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless men, women, and children.
- Mission: To end mass homelessness in New York City.
- History: Founded in 1981, it has grown to offer a comprehensive range of services.
- Impact: Provides housing, job training, emergency food programs, and legal aid, directly assisting thousands of individuals each year.
CommonBond Communities
“A home is the foundation for everything in life”. This Minnesota based organization’s mission is to build stable homes leading to strong futures and vibrant communities.
A dignified, affordable home supports independent and community development. CommonBond is one of the largest nonprofit providers of affordable rental homes in the Upper Midwest.
Their high quality development, long term management and resident services for low-income families have improved the lives of over 9,000 individuals since 1971.
Project HOME
Project HOME empowers individuals to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty through affordable housing and support services.
- Mission: To empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
- History: Founded in 1989 in Philadelphia, Project HOME has grown into a leading organization in the fight against homelessness.
- Impact: Offers housing, healthcare, education, and employment services, impacting thousands of lives each year.
PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)
PATH works to end homelessness for individuals, families, and communities through supportive services and housing.
- Mission: To end homelessness for individuals, families, and communities.
- History: Since its founding in 1984, PATH has expanded its services across California.
- Impact: Provides permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and comprehensive support services, assisting over 125,000 people annually.
Warren Village
Supporting low-income and single parent families in Denver, Colorado, Warren Village assists with achieving sustainable personal and economic self-sufficiency.
The organization focuses on providing safe and secure housing, reconnecting their target families with community support, and self-help services.
Warren Village has provided shelter to over 3,500 families since 1974 and has been a proud national model for its housing and programming structure including family services, Early Childhood Education and school-age programs.
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