Skip to main content

How 4 organizations found better ways to help low income families

  1. The Economy

How 4 organizations found better ways to help low income families

These innovative organizations have ways to help low income families that go far beyond just today’s needs.

Why the war on drugs isn’t working — and what America can do instead

At any given time, about 30% of the homeless population are adults and children in families — often single mothers with young children. In 2022, these families made up almost 163,000 people, 11% of which were unsheltered, meaning they were living in their car or in a tent, or without any shelter at all. 

The problem is getting worse. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, in 2022, counts of individuals experiencing homelessness (421,392 people) and chronically homeless individuals (127,768) hit all time highs.

Governments and aid groups have tried various approaches like welfare, shelters, and housing. Yet the issue persists. Traditional top-down approaches to the problem focus on solving it for the homeless person, not empowering them to escape homelessness forever using bottom-up solutions  

It's clear that new and better ways to help low income families are urgently needed — methods that not only help people find food, clothing, and shelter, but also respect their dignity and ability to better their circumstances. 

Fortunately, the Stand Together community partners with innovative organizations which are helping families break free of homelessness for good. These organizations are doing it while respecting people's dignity in ways that propel them forward. Below are four organizations that are tackling this multi-dimensional problem head on — and turning the failed approaches of the past on their head.   

PadSplit: A co-living marketplace

PadSplit converts existing real estate such as single-family homes into shared-living spaces, providing more quality affordable housing options for low income families. 

Currently available in metropolitan areas across 15 states, the platform has more than 6,200 co-renting units with more than 14,000 people housed. Renters not only get available housing, they're also given the opportunity to build their credit.  

"Sharing the space found in existing housing stock creates opportunities for more affordability, lowers traffic, better utilities performance and environmental impact, and improves economic development for our communities," says PadSplit CEO Atticus LeBlanc. "We believe the people who serve our communities deserve an opportunity to live in them."

 

Operating across 16 states, PadSplit’s solution to the affordable housing crisis is to make the existing supply of housing work better for more people.

 

The Samaritan app: Connecting people experiencing homelessness to resources

The Samaritan app empowers low income families and people experiencing homelessness to ask for what they need directly. It is founded on the premise that social poverty causes homelessness. 

People using Samaritan may need a haircut, groceries, tools, a new outfit that allows them to interview for jobs, or even just someone to talk to. Samaritan organizes volunteers in teams that donate physical, financial, and social support to individuals. Each team is made up of 5 to 30 people, all dedicated to helping one individual.

It's not just a gift here and there. It's a full support system. The Samaritan website offers these suggestions for ways volunteers can support a Samaritan Member: "It could be giving $10/month towards their goals; it could be sending a message of encouragement or opportunity; it could be dropping a needed item at a tent city or at an organization; it could be bringing the person on for a gig like gardening or playing music at an event; it could simply be inviting others to join the person's team. Give where you're gifted. The rest will take care of itself."

"By putting a team of people around a person and having that team invest in that person, we see people begin to invest in themselves," says founder Jonathan Kumar

"Providing a social home often leads to a physical home soon after."

 

Whether it’s a haircut or groceries, the Samaritan philosophy is that being able to meet each person’s unique needs helps to empower people and propel them forward.

 

Stay up to date

Sign up for the Strong & Safe Communities newsletter for stories, ideas, and advice from changemakers breaking cycles of poverty and bridging divides.

Acts Housing: Helping low income families break barriers

Acts Housing helps low income families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership. 

This organization assists people in overcoming daunting barriers to homeownership, things like low credit scores, not having enough savings, interpreting legal language, and obtaining loans. At Acts Housing, low income families get home buyer and financial counseling, a real estate brokerage, home rehab expertise, and financing options.

"We believe that homeownership is possible for anyone that's willing to work for it," says CEO Michael Gosman.

Positive Tomorrows: Providing safe education for children experiencing homelessness

Positive Tomorrows is a school in Oklahoma City exclusively for children experiencing homelessness

The school provides real-world skills and an adaptive, inclusive environment, where it addresses the unique challenges youth experiencing homelessness face. For example, the school provides transportation to and from a shelter, motel, or other location where the student is staying. 

"We believe in opening doors for people and not walking through for them, but walking beside them," says CEO Margaret Creighton. "And really making sure they have all the resources that they need to make the decisions for their families."

***

The Stand Together community partners with changemakers who are tackling the root causes of America's biggest problems.

Learn more about Stand Together’s efforts to build strong and safe communities and explore ways you can partner with us.

What's next a landscape shot of the Behind Every Door community with a tan border A lifeline Salvation Army closed. Then the community rallied.

This new organization treats its community like clients — and it’s working

A female teacher in a blue top instructing a group of four young students in a colorful classroom setting Want to empower your beneficiaries? Try giving them power.

The social sector is missing out on critical feedback. Here’s how one nonprofit is closing that gap.

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills in a training session at the Adaptive Training Foundation. A veteran lost his limbs - a trainer's 'aha' moment got him back on track

A chance encounter sparked the inspiration for a gym that helps people recognize their inner strength.

A collage of a hand on a shoulder These founders reveal the secret sauce of their nonprofit work

A healthy relationship is the most powerful thing in the world.

© 2024 Stand Together. All rights reserved. Stand Together and the Stand Together logo are trademarks and service marks of Stand Together. Terms like “we,” “our,” and “us,” as well as “Stand Together,” and “the Stand Together community,” are used here for the sake of convenience. While the individuals and organizations to which those terms may refer share and work toward a common vision—including, but not limited to, Stand Together Foundation, Stand Together, Charles Koch Foundation, Stand Together Trust, Stand Together Fellowships, and Americans for Prosperity—each engages only in those activities that are consistent with its nonprofit status.
Jump back to top