Project HOME

Philly’s first-in-the-nation experiment giving cash to struggling renters is working, researchers say Families that got cash rental assistance were less likely to be evicted, experience homelessness, and report having serious problems with their homes, according to a study of the PHLHousing+ program.

For the past three years, the city has been giving cash to some struggling renters, no strings attached.

The first-in-the-nation experiment has been even more successful than researchers studying its impact expected.

Why clearing encampments doesn’t usually solve problems of homelessness Clearing encampments is part of a wider push across the country by Democrats and Republican lawmakers alike to take drastic action to reduce homelessness, but experts say it's usually misguided.

Clearing encampments is part of a wider push across the country by Democrats and Republican lawmakers alike to take drastic action to reduce homelessness, but experts say it's counterproductive and ineffective. https://to.pbs.org/3JuTUHv

"...the president’s order trades on worn-out myths about the relationship between mental illness and violence, while leaning into the familiar politics of disorder, danger, and urban decay."

Trump’s executive order on homelessness and mental illness discards what works | Opinion The president’s order trades on worn-out myths about the relationship between mental illness and violence, while leaning into the familiar politics of disorder, danger, and urban decay.

"Rather than instructing federal agencies to scale proven solutions like permanent supportive housing and rental assistance..."

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Shara Dae Howard and Donna Bullock pose for a selfie standing on a rooftop in Philadelphia. A text overlay says "Get to know the CEO of Project HOME and the legacy she's inherited".

For 35 years, Project HOME has been fighting to break the cycle of homelessness in Philadelphia.

Recently, the founder passed the torch to a new CEO, Donna Bullock.

Shara Dae Howard met both of them on the latest Shara in the City: spr.ly/63320f2iUA

Federal Raids Target D.C. Homeless Camps

Federal Raids Target D.C. Homeless Camps www.nytimes.com/live/2025/08...

"Without a meaningful pathway to permanent housing, orders to move along simply shuffle people from block to block without resolving their housing status."

Trump’s executive order on homelessness and mental illness discards what works | Opinion The president’s order trades on worn-out myths about the relationship between mental illness and violence, while leaning into the familiar politics of disorder, danger, and urban decay.

"The president’s order would reward cities and states for clearing encampments, but vigorous enforcement of anti-camping laws won’t solve our problems, either."

www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

Real safety comes from housing, services, and collaboration.

Learn more here: www.usich.gov/.../Summary%....

Read the full guidance at: www.usich.gov/.../19%20Str....

We are following the White House's actions in the nation's capitol and believe that federalizing the D.C. police to clear encampments isn’t a solution—it’s a shortcut that erodes community trust and treats homelessness as a public nuisance rather than a human crisis.

Can Philly Become the First Major U.S. City to End Homelessness? According to local experts, Philadelphia could indeed functionally end homelessness. Here’s what it would take

Short answer: Yes.

Our President and CEO, Donna Bullock, recently spoke to @thephilacitizen.bsky.social and made the case that our city is well-positioned to realize a functional end to street homelessness.

thephiladelphiacitizen.org/can-philly-b...

Trump’s executive order on homelessness and mental illness discards what works | Opinion The president’s order trades on worn-out myths about the relationship between mental illness and violence, while leaning into the familiar politics of disorder, danger, and urban decay.

Our VP advocacy, public policy, and street outreach, Candice Player, writes today with our response to President Trump's recent executive order focused on homelessness titled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets.”

Read more: www.inquirer.com/opinion/comm...

Code Red in Effect: How Can You Help | Project HOME Summer in Philadelphia can be brutal.

When temperatures soar, so does the danger. Extreme heat increases the risks of chronic street homelessness, leaving them to confront increased likelihood of dehydration, heat stroke, or even death. With your support, we can help respond to this crisis.

www.projecthome.org/news/code-re...

Trump order pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people Trump executive order would increase hospitalization of homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. The order said shifting homeless people into long-term institutional settin...

President Trump wants to make it easier to forcibly hospitalize people experiencing homelessness for longer periods of time.

The executive order says shifting those with mental illness and addiction into long-term institutions will restore public order.

Trump's Proposed Time Limit on HUD Subsidies Would ‘Devastate’ Low Income Families in Bucks County and Across Pennsylvania - Bucks County Beacon If the two-year limit is enacted, evictions are expected to skyrocket, resulting in an increase in homelessness.

Trump’s Proposed Time Limit on HUD Subsidies Would ‘Devastate’ Low Income Families in Bucks County and Across Pennsylvania | If the two-year limit is enacted, evictions are expected to skyrocket, resulting in an increase in homelessness, reports @patlamarche.bsky.social.

Study says Trump's proposed time limit for low-income housing most likely to affect working families and children The study suggests a proposed two-year time limit on federal housing subsidies could affect as many as 1.4 million households in public housing and Section 8 programs.

www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...

SNAP cuts will affect Philadelphians and food banks: Here’s what you need to know Billy Penn spoke with experts and food leaders about how recent legislation will worsen food insecurity in the region.

SNAP cuts from President Trump's recent "Big Beautiful Bill" will affect Philly's food banks and SNAP recipients. Here is what you need to know -- from several experts and food leaders. billypenn.com/2025/07/22/s...

1.4M of the nation's poorest renters risk losing their homes with Trump's proposed HUD time limit A Trump administration proposal could put more than a million low-income households at risk of losing their government-subsidized housing.

apnews.com/article/hud-... of the nation's poorest renters risk losing their homes with Trump's proposed HUD time limit

A year after criminalizing street camping, KY has more homelessness as root causes go unaddressed • Kentucky Lantern A year after Kentucky criminalized street camping, homelessness is up as leaders fail to confront the housing shortage and other root causes.

A year after criminalizing street camping, KY has more homelessness as root causes go unaddressed kentuckylantern.com/2025/07/18/a...

[RELEASE] Leigh Middleton Honored with SPARK Award | Project HOME Project HOME today announced it will host the 15th celebration of Bring Philly HOME, presented by Penn Medicine, on Wednesday, June 4, from 6 p.m.

We were thrilled tonight to honor MPOWER co-founder Leigh Middleton with the SPARK (Service Partnership and Radical Kindness) Award for her tireless, transformational support for our mission. Thank you, Leigh, for all you have done for the Project HOME community!
www.projecthome.org/news/release...

DOJ Abandons Effort to Address Phoenix’s Treatment of Homeless People The Justice Department retracted findings of constitutional violations in Phoenix and five other jurisdictions. Advocates say the move could further embolden cities and police departments to marginali...

"The investigation marked the first time the DOJ had found a pattern of violations against homeless people, including that officers and other city employees illegally threw away their belongings."

www.propublica.org/article/phoe...

Local group aims to help students experiencing homelessness The Valley Youth House aims to offer practical solutions for the many Philadelphia school children facing housing insecurity

"During the 2021-22 school year, 1.9% of children were identified as experiencing homelessness, with the number increasing to 2.5% for the 2022-23 school year and 3.1% for the 2023-2024 school year, according to...data from the School District of Philadelphia." 

billypenn.com/2025/05/27/v...

Can Philadelphia Better Address the Needs of People Suffering From Addiction? In Philadelphia, where nearly 10,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the last eight years, the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services supports several front-line organizations that offer compr...

Our associate director of street medicine, Kara Cohen, recently spoke with The Pew Charitable Trusts about the state of services offered to folks battling substance use disorder.

www.pew.org/en/research-...

Inn of Amazing Mercy Awarded for Excellence | Project HOME Our Real Estate Development and Asset Management team, led by SVP Janet Stearns, was recognized by ULI Philadelphia for their work developing

Congrats to our Real Estate Development and Asset Management team for the recent recognition from ULI Philadelphia for their development of Inn of Amazing Mercy: www.projecthome.org/news/inn-ama...

Our president and CEO, Donna Bullock, will be on the ones and twos this Wednesday night for a good cause! See below for all of the info.

[RELEASE] Project HOME Unveils Renovated Kate’s Place, Pennsylvania’s Largest Supportive Housing Residence | Project HOME Community Invited to Celebrate Next Chapter of Historic Building Offering Hope, Stability, and Community in Center City

Last week we joined @projecthome.bsky.social to celebrate the reopening of historic Kate’s Place. Funds from PHFA were used to help renovate this 144-unit affordable, supportive housing community in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse neighborhood.

Many of us will be joining Donna this Sunday on Mother's Day. Make a memorable gift that honors the love your mother has given to you, and empower mothers at Project HOME strive for a better future for themselves and their families. Make a gift at projectho.me/md25bs.

A mother and daughter embracing.

Quote: "I’ve been connected to Project HOME in so many ways over so many years. In my role as an elected official I hosted a lunch at Honickman Learning Center Comcast Technology Labs and my wonderful Mom, Joyce, was there. She has always taught me the value of service and I honor her this Mother’s Day."

"I’ve been connected to Project HOME in so many ways over so many years. In my role as an elected official I hosted a lunch at Honickman Learning Center Comcast Technology Labs and my wonderful Mom, Joyce, was there. She has always taught me the value of service and I honor her this Mother’s Day."⁠

[RELEASE] Project HOME Unveils Renovated Kate’s Place, Pennsylvania’s Largest Supportive Housing Residence | Project HOME Community Invited to Celebrate Next Chapter of Historic Building Offering Hope, Stability, and Community in Center City

Thanks to everyone who came out today to celebrate the renovations made to our Kate's Place residence in Center City. The improvements to the 144-unit supportive residence strengthened the ability for Kate’s Place to welcome residents with disabilities. www.projecthome.org/news/release...