Grant Guidelines for Stable Homes, Stable Families

Stabilizing families in crisis and moving them to self-sufficiency is critical to developing homes that can nurture and support children to their fullest potential. There are 3,500 homeless families in the Washington metropolitan area alone that are in need of housing and services. Finding appropriate housing is a primary condition of gaining family stability. Due to the challenges these families face, a wide array of supportive services are necessary to help them achieve lasting stability. The Foundation's investments will target families who are homeless and those who are participating in housing-based service programs.

Moving Homeless Families to Stable Housing

Programs that place families who are homeless in housing are important strategies in stabilizing and supporting positive outcomes for these families. Additionally, the Foundation is targeting housing support to youth aging out of the foster care system (see Foster Care and Adoption).

We believe: Programs that place families who are homeless and or vulnerable in Housing First programs, emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and housing for youth transitioning from foster care are important strategies in stabilizing and supporting positive outcomes for these families.

Outcome: Homeless families achieve stability and/or transition to stable housing.

Helping Families Sustain Housing Stability

Connecting low-income families to housing based services will help them achieve stability and overcome barriers to success. Families that participate in residential service programs realize their opportunities through their children's academic achievement, gaining meaningful employment, achieving financial readiness, and benefiting from service coordination, which empower families to move up and out of poverty.

We believe: Both housing and resident services play critical roles in sustaining families who are vulnerable to homelessness. Residential service programs address the long-term needs of these families and support their efforts to remain stable and self-sufficient.

Outcome: Vulnerable families who are connected to housing-based services strengthen their personal and financial assets and sustain housing stability.