At Housing Families First, we believe every family deserves a home. Help us make our belief their reality.

DID YOU KNOW...

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 40 Richmond-area families per day had no permanent address, spending their nights on the street or perhaps were fortunate enough to find space in short-term housing shelters. During the pandemic, the number of children and families facing homelessness rose sadly more than 50% and hundreds have fallen in and out of homelessness within the last year. Through your generous financial donations, we’re able to help support more families transition into a home of their own and provide the supportive services they need to succeed.

OVERVIEW

Founded in 2000, Housing Families First is an established 501(c)3 organization with a proven track record of helping families end their homelessness. Not only are we the largest family shelter in Richmond, but we’re also the only local family shelter that is fully handicapped-accessible. With a focus on dignity and respect, our facility provides each family with their own private bedroom and bathroom. Our mission is to give families the opportunity to build a family legacy by providing a path to permanent housing. We carry out this mission through three programs, all housed on one campus.

OUR FY2021 SUCCESS

More than 680 children and adults living in 196 families received housing services through Housing Families First.
75% of families exited our programs and established permanent housing.
30% of parents in Building Neighbors increased their income.
More than 89% of families housed through Hilliard House and Building Neighbors didn't return to homelessness within one year. Bringing Families Home expanded into three public school systems in its first year.
For every dollar donated, 84 cents went directly to our homelessness programs.

HILLIARD HOUSE EMERGENCY SHELTER

As our flagship program, Hilliard House provides short-term shelter, daily meals, laundry facilities, a computer lab, and housing options for 11 families with children at a time. A Family Housing Case Manager takes an inventory of the strengths, assets, needs, and challenges affecting a family's housing. Then, they work together to create a housing plan that builds on their unique strengths and addresses their barriers.

BUILDING NEIGHBORS RAPID RE-HOUSING

Building Neighbors launched in 2012 to help families experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing as quickly as possible. The program enables families that have multiple barriers to housing find a home that meets their needs, then helps them keep it by providing additional assistance for up to a year.

BRINGING FAMILIES HOME

Launched in 2020, Bringing Families Home provides help with housing searches and financial assistance, so that homeless students and their family members can thrive in a home of their own. Students are referred by partners from Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico.

THE BIG GOAL

Our Opening Doors For Families capital campaign will raise $4,400,000 by the end of 2022, allowing us to achieve even more realistic results for families while also honoring the needs of our dedicated volunteers and professional staff. Even though our Hilliard House shelter is the largest in the area for families, we have an enormous opportunity to impact 300 more children and parents annually by expanding services and improving our shelter space and the surrounding campus.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

When you make a one-time, tax-deductible donation or set up a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual contribution, your gift directly transforms lives and provides a family with a path to permanent housing, emotional support, and a connection to the skills and community resources they need to gain stability.

Opening Doors for Families CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Opening Doors for Families

Opening Doors for Families CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

About Opening Doors for Families