Programs

With a focus on homeless prevention programs and projects, the Housing Industry Foundation has helped thousands of people with emergency housing assistance grants over the years and has participated in over 60 rehab and shelter renovation projects through cash and in-kind donations as well as volunteer time and support.

Emergency Grants

HIF's emergency housing grants are a homeless prevention program. In collaboration with a network of social services agencies, HIF makes grants of up to $1,000 to low-income individuals and families threatened with homelessness or uninhabitable conditions. These grants may be used for a variety of housing expenses, including rent, mortgage, utilities and certain repairs. The situation must be due to a recent unforeseen emergency and the clients must demonstrate their ability to meet future expenses once the grant is received. Last year, HIF helped 466 adults and 487 children by making 322 grants totalling over $273,000.

Note: The Emergency Housing Fund serves families and single adults who live or work in either San Mateo or Santa Clara County. To apply, contact the agency partner in your area.

Renovation Projects

HIF works with local shelters and other non-profit housing providers to improve the living conditions for their residents. Drawing upon the expertise and resources within the industry, including in-kind donations of material and labor, HIF is able to make needed repairs and improvements for little cost. These projects range from providing a few needed furnishings to major renovations of the buildings and landscaping.

The rehab projects that HIF undertakes are the most gratifying HIF program for many of our supporters. These projects give them an opportunity to be directly involved, either by volunteering, sending a work crew to assist with the project or by donating materials or furnishings. In turn, their enthusiasm and generosity enable us to complete these projects at great cost savings, leaving more money available for other projects or programs.

The shelter/housing rehab projects are one of HIF’s core programs. They are successful because of the many businesses and individuals who participate directly by donating both labor and materials. As a result, far more is accomplished that could be done independently.

Last year, HIF completed five projects, investing $46,805 cash, plus $94,327 in-kind donations.

Disaster Response

When disaster strikes, there is no time for planning, only responding. In a matter of minutes, one can go from comfort to homelessness, perhaps losing most of one’s personal possessions at the same time.

HIF helps victims of this sort of disaster cope with the tragedy and return to a stable living situation as quickly as possible. As a member of CADRE (Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Response Effort) HIF cooperates with other non-profits in the community to assure that needed services and resources are made available as quickly as possible.

Each disaster is unique and assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis. HIF has helped cover the cost of extending motel accommodations, security deposits and replacing household goods.