Thursday, August 8, 2024
The Board of the Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc. (HAFI) approved grants in support of eight organizations for their work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia as they transition back to permanent housing. These grants will collectively provide $420,000 in support over two years. For more information on HAFI, contact Executive Director Janet Kroll (janet@hafi-phila.org)
- Ark of Safety is an LGBTQ+ safe haven that provides emergency housing, community and other supports with a focus on transgender women of color experiencing homelessness. Federation of Neighborhood Centers serves as the fiscal sponsor for this grant. HAFI will also provide support for capacity building for Ark of Safety, with a focus on organizational growth, financial planning, and fundraising.
- First Step Staffing provides pathways to economic stability through employment and retention services. Their Housing Program assists clients to identify and move into safe, stable and sustainable housing.
- Juntos is a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for human rights for community members as immigrants, parents, workers and youth. Juntos works in three core areas: Community Organizing, Youth Education and Development, and Community Care. The Community Care work includes the Solidarity Bank (a member-led initiative to get food and resources to community members), case support and referrals, and partnerships with other community organizations and resources.
- Nationalities Service Center serves as the Greater Philadelphia region’s largest refugee resettlement agency. Among other services, NSC provides direct financial support, including assistance with security deposits, rent and furniture, to help vulnerable newcomers transition into permanent housing.
- Pathways to Housing PA utilizes the evidence-based housing first model to help end chronic homelessness. Pathways currently houses over 600 individuals in apartments throughout the city of Philadelphia, while addressing underlying issues around mental health, substance use, medical care and education to welcome people back into the community. Pathways launched, and operates the Philadelphia Furniture Bank https://pathwaystohousingpa.org/philadelphia-furniture-bank as a centralized resource for furniture for human service organizations throughout Philadelphia.
- Valley Youth House provides services for children, youth and families in 14 counties across Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. Through the Synergy in Schools program, students (including those who have dropped out) ages 14-21 experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity are identified and connected to permanent housing options and supportive services that meet their needs. The HAFI support will help underwrite Flexible Cash Assistance (FCA) provided to program participants- this program component was added with federal support (part of a national demonstration project), which includes funds for a robust evaluation to test the efficacy of this program component
- Women Against Abuse is Philadelphia’s leading domestic violence advocate and service provider and among the largest domestic violence agencies in the country. Among their core services, WAA’s Safe at Home program provides survivors with community-based case management and financial assistance to safely transition to homes in the community. Through an organizational race equity audit and other efforts including staff and Board training and changes to policies and procedures, Women Against Abuse is taking concrete steps to become a fully inclusive, multicultural and antiracist organization.
- Women’s Community Revitalization Project develops affordable housing; provides supportive services; advocates for policy change; and honors and promotes leadership, dignity and justice for low-income women, their families and communities. HAFI supports Women’s Community Revitalization Project through grants and mission-aligned investing.