By
Eniola Adeeko

Every person has a fundamental right to housing, which guarantees access to a comfortable, safe, and affordable place to live. Yet, it is estimated that 3 billion people, about 40% of the world’s population, will need access to adequate housing by 2030. Therefore, there is a global need for new affordable and accessible housing. Fortunately, nonprofit organizations are making housing more available worldwide. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help with housing?

The best charities that help with housing are Catholic Charities USA and The Salvation Army. Charities like Abode Services, DePaul USA, and the Coalition for the Homeless provide temporary and permanent housing to support people facing housing difficulties.

Whether you want to help low-income families access housing opportunities, advocate for affordable housing policies, or donate building materials, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help with housing are all about, how they work, and your best way to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Help With Housing Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, transparency ratings, and achievements.

They provide housing options, including temporary housing, eviction prevention programs, and affordable permanent housing to help those experiencing housing challenges in the US and worldwide.

Many of these charities work with low-income families to build a safe, decent home for them at affordable costs. Others offer financial assistance to cover rent, mortgage, and utility bills to help people keep their homes.

Yet, they all share the same goal of helping with housing.

These Are the 10 Best Charities That Help With Housing in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that help with housing (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

(At the end of this article, we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

Catholic Charities USA: Advocating for Affordable Housing for Vulnerable Populations

Catholic Charities USA has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We believe that housing, and access to housing, is a fundamental human right that recognizes the life and dignity of every person.”

Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA provides emergency shelters and long-term assistance to vulnerable populations. For example, they offer emergency rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to support families struggling to maintain their homes. They also provide eviction prevention services to help people keep their homes. In addition, they develop and preserve housing units available for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities in the US. Furthermore, they advocate for affordable housing policies in the US.

Since their inception, Catholic Charities USA has assisted those experiencing homelessness and housing challenges in the US. For example, in 2021, they provided $342 million in rental assistance. They also distributed $32 million in emergency utility assistance and $4 million in mortgage assistance. In addition, they spent $2.5 million to prevent underprivileged families and individuals from experiencing homelessness. They also created over 34,500 affordable housing units for low-income families in the US.

You can donate directly to Catholic Charities USA through their website. You can also assist them by donating real estate as a gift to a family in need.

The Salvation Army: Supporting Those Without Access to Adequate Housing

The Salvation Army has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.”

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides emergency shelter and resources to help families stay in their homes. They offer a warm, safe place for people facing housing challenges. In addition, they offer financial assistance to cover emergency overnight housing costs and partner with other emergency shelter services where they do not operate. Their transitional housing programs provide homeless people with food and lodging while supporting them to regain stability. Furthermore, their emergency assistance programs help families pay their bills and reduce the financial burdens of housing utilities.

Since their inception, the Salvation Army has assisted 25 million people affected by poverty, neglect, and natural disasters annually. For example, in 2022, they provided free shelter to over 7.8 million people struggling with housing difficulties and homelessness. In addition, they supported over 3.8 million people with financial assistance for rent and utility assistance.

You can donate directly to the Salvation Army through their website. You can also support them by fundraising or donating goods to help those in need.

Abode Services: Because Everyone Should Have a Home

Abode Services has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Abode Services’ mission is to end homelessness by assisting low-income, un-housed people, including those with special needs, to secure stable, supportive housing; and to be advocates for the removal of the causes of homelessness.”

Abode Services

Abode Services addresses housing challenges in the US by partnering with landlords and local shelters to help people access housing opportunities. They also provide short-term rental assistance, housing placement, and supportive services to help vulnerable people, including the elderly and people exiting the criminal justice system, obtain housing quickly. In addition, they operate a homelessness-prevention program that provides housing solutions to young adults exiting the foster care system. 

Since their inception, Abode Services has continued to help homeless families find permanent housing. For example, in 2022, they spent over $41 million in rental assistance to give homeless people a safe home. They also assisted over 14,800 homeless people through their programs. Every night, their housing programs provide a safe home to 6,748 homeless and at-risk people, including over 3,000 children and 500 veterans. In addition, over 2,500 homeless people in their programs exited into permanent housing,

You can donate directly to Abode Services through their website. You can also support them by volunteering at their shelter.

DePaul USA: Homelessness Has No Place

DePaul USA has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We help individuals who are homeless, vulnerable and disadvantaged.”

DePaul USA

DePaul USA operates permanent and temporary housing and affordable housing programs for those experiencing housing challenges. For example, they provide houses and apartments below-market rents for low-income or disabled men and women. Their DAX program offers housing opportunities, stipends, transportation, and educational support to college students experiencing housing challenges. They also run a free medical clinic to provide homeless people with access to healthcare. 

Since their founding, DePaul USA has remained committed to providing adequate housing in the US. For example, in 2018, they provided 418 homeless people with housing. In addition, their emergency services resource centers helped over 100 people transition into permanent housing and provided nearly 70,000 meals and 20,000 hygiene services to homeless people.

You can donate directly to DePaul USA through their website. You can also support the charity by volunteering or partnering with them to end homelessness.

Coalition for the Homeless: Housing Is a Human Right

The Coalition for the Homeless has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We believe that affordable housing, sufficient food, and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society.”

Coalition for the Homeless

The Coalition for the Homeless offers housing programs to individuals and families in New York to give them permanent housing stability. For example, their Bridge Building Program provides affordable apartments to people experiencing housing difficulties. In addition, their Scattered Site Housing Program provides homeless people living with HIV/AIDS with permanent housing. They also operate a Client Advocacy Program that helps disabled adults to find permanent supportive housing. Furthermore, they run Camp Homeward Bound to provide homeless children respite from the discomfort of the shelter system in the summer.

Since their founding, the Coalition for the Homeless has supported people experiencing housing difficulties. For example, in 2022, their eviction prevention program saved 613 families from becoming homeless by providing one-time rental arrears grants. Furthermore, they housed 222 homeless children at Camp Homeward Bound in the summer. They also provided stable, permanent housing to 169 residents. In addition, they helped 62 chronically homeless individuals with physical or mental disabilities to secure government benefits and obtain supportive housing. 

You can donate directly to the Coalition for the Homeless through their website. You can also support them by volunteering or participating in their Back to School project.

The Fuller Center for Housing: Building a Better World, One House at a Time

The Fuller Center for Housing has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We promote collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals and organizations to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.”

The Fuller Center for Housing

The Fuller Center for Housing partners with communities and civic organizations to build decent, affordable homes for people who cannot secure adequate housing. They do this by working with the homeowners to build their homes, which they buy back via comfortable monthly installments. Their Greater Blessing program covers smaller renovation projects, which the homeowners can repay on their terms.

Since their inception, The Fuller Center for Housing has housed over 5,000 families in over 70 communities in the US. They also provide access to adequate housing in 19 countries worldwide. By helping more families access adequate housing, they have helped to strengthen family bonds and create a safe, healthy space for children to grow.

You can donate directly to The Fuller Center for Housing through their website. You can also support them by donating property or building materials.

Save the Family: Stable Homes. Safe Children. Strong Families.

Save the Family has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We work to equip families to overcome underlying issues that lead to homelessness – ensuring stable homes, safe children and strong families because of our efforts.”

Save the Family

Save the Family provides housing programs and eviction prevention services to homeless families to ensure their long-term housing. They also help people achieve financial stability by providing supportive services, including budgeting classes, parenting classes, and access to in-house mental health and substance abuse support. In addition, they help children navigate the trauma caused by homelessness and support families by offering drop-in daycare, after-school programs, and summer camps annually. 

Since their founding, Save the Family has consistently provided housing support to vulnerable families in the US. 90% of the families they have helped have obtained permanent housing. Furthermore, 91% of the families that participated in their programs obtained regular access to healthcare, and 70% of them maintained or increased their incomes. In addition, the charity reached 640 children through their children’s services and sponsored 237 children to school.

You can donate directly to Save the Family through their website. You can also support them by volunteering or starting a fundraiser.

Building Homes for Heroes: One Home Every 11 Days

Building Homes for Heroes has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“We build or modify homes, and gift them, mortgage-free, to injured veterans and their families, while supporting them to build better and brighter lives and reach new heights.”

Building Homes for Heroes

Building Homes for Heroes gives mortgage-free homes to veterans to ease their financial burden and enable them to lead more independent lives. They work with financial planners to provide new homeowners with financial advice to help them maintain home expenses and pay property taxes. In addition, they plan networking events to help wounded veterans find support and create friendships with other injured veterans. They also provide emergency financial assistance to support veterans experiencing or on the brink of homelessness.

Since their founding, Building Homes for Heroes has provided emergency funding to over 1,000 veterans and their families dealing with housing problems, health challenges, or psychological issues. They have provided over 300 mortgage-free homes to injured veterans in the US to alleviate their financial burden.

You can donate directly to Building Homes for Heroes through their website. You can also assist them by joining the 11-11 campaign to provide 11 homes in 11 weeks to injured veterans.

1Mission: Building One Home at a Time

1Mission has a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We’re a community development organization giving people in poverty the opportunity to earn a house by serving their community.”

1Mission

1Mission is a community development organization providing housing for people living without safe, secure shelter in Mexico. They work with disadvantaged families to assist in building their homes, and the families earn their homes through community service. 

Since their inception, 1Mission has spent over 270,000 hours of community service to develop vulnerable communities. They have helped nearly 5,000 people experiencing homelessness to access safe shelter. They have also built 1,078 homes for families facing housing challenges in Mexico.

You can donate directly to 1Mission through their website. You can also support them by volunteering to build a house.

National Fair Housing Alliance: Ending Housing Discrimination

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFH) has a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To eliminate housing discrimination and ensure equitable housing opportunities for all people and communities through its education and outreach, member services, public policy, advocacy, housing and community development, tech equity, enforcement, and consulting and compliance programs.”

National Fair Housing Alliance

The National Fair Housing Alliance advocates for policies that promote equal access to housing opportunities. For example, they invest in and promote the use of race-conscious fair housing tools, resources, and principles to create sustainable housing opportunities and inclusive communities. They also provide training and consulting to promote fair housing through enforcement, education, outreach, and affirmative action.

Since their founding, the National Fair Housing Alliance has developed fair housing materials in 8 languages, and achieved over 4 billion impressions to educate the public about the benefits of fair housing. In addition, NFHA and 13 partnering fair housing centers invested $27 million in African American and Latino communities, providing financial literacy and other services for persons with disabilities, and rehabbed homes.

You can donate to the National Fair Housing Alliance through their website. You can also support Robust HUD funding by contacting your Representatives and Senators to ensure HUD funding legislation includes housing priorities.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help with housing. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transpahousing in their mission and their figures. Familiarise yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at diffehousing intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to helping with housing – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

Sources

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