Short term, Partners in Housing helps families experiencing or at immediate risk of homelessness, but the long term goal is to help ensure housing stability for those it serves, known as partners.

“We’re dedicated to families because we believe all children should have a home,” explained Cathy McKinley, community engagement manager for Partners in Housing. Families must have at least one dependent under 18 years old to qualify.

The organization provides transitional housing for a year with several programs in place to assist in employability and self-sufficiency. Since the pandemic, what was once a two-year program is now condensed to one, based on feedback from partners who completed the program in the past.

“We listened to our partners and based on their input we made a change without eliminating anything,” McKinley explained. “We hastened the process of working with a housing navigator to find suitable long term housing from one year to six months.”

In addition to transitional housing, Partners in Housing provides what McKinley referred to as wrap-around services. “This is really what sets us apart,” she said. It’s all part of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

This includes one-on-one case management, career counseling, budget counseling, technology instruction, life skills courses addressing such areas as personal growth, health, stress management and much more. Partners also have access to Partners in Housing donation centers for such things as furnishings, household goods, baby items, hygiene products and clothing.

The organization has 68 units around town to accommodate families of different sizes. These range from apartments to single-family homes. Consider that the organization was founded in 1991 and the following year purchased its first property: a 12-unit building, which provided transitional housing to 12 families.

All partners associated with the nonprofit must either be employed or enrolled in school, McKinley said. The goal is to increase their employability skills. This is accomplished through its Work-It! program, which focuses on resume building, developing interviewing skills among other aspects associated with job searches. Partners in Housing also has a donation center where partners can find appropriate clothing for interviews. “This has been around for a while,” she said. “It’s very successful.”

The 2023-24 fiscal year outcomes cited on the Partners in Housing website state that 409 individuals were served; this includes 274 children and 135 adults. The statistics indicate that 85 percent moved to long term stable housing. The national average is 65 percent. Education, employability and self-sufficiency stats are also tracked.

Numbers for the 2022-23 fiscal year illustrate a more complete picture. During that time 139 families were served, which included 301 children. Of those families: 93% were headed by single moms; 1% by two-parent households; 1% by grandparents; and 5% headed by single fathers.

As partners move forward, McKinley said, many return as volunteers and donors. One former partner who was assisted by the nonprofit has established herself in a successful career, has two daughters in college and has made a substantial financial contribution.

Families are referred to Partners in Housing through several ways including 2-1-1 Pikes Peak United Way, TESSA, Springs Rescue Mission and other area assistance agencies. The Empty Stocking Fund is another way of reaching not just the community at large, but also making families in need aware of available services.

“It’s a huge impact for our organization in many ways,” McKinley said. “We have not seen a downturn in need. We could not operate the way we do without the Empty Stocking Fund.”