Our Services
Through Housing, Education and Community Outreach, we improve the lives of Milwaukee’s most vulnerable citizens. Interested in being referred to one of our housing programs? All referrals come through Coordinated Entry – please call 211.
Housing Programs
Over the past decade, Hope House has refined and bolstered efforts focused on ending homelessness with significant success. This has included shifting programming to prioritize community-based housing and the supportive services needed for families’ long-term stability, while using shelter as a short-term, last-resort resource. This shift regularly sees greater than 90% of clients maintaining housing after programming – a dramatic increase from previous models. Also, more recently, Hope House and partners have invested significantly in prevention, piloting and then building on an effort to identify and intervene with families on the cusp of becoming homeless.
In addition to our community-based programming, Hope House operates two facilities: Hope House (Orchard St. location) – Founded 38 years ago, this location serves as our administrative headquarters, is home to our transitional shelter, and houses on-site supportive education and health services accessible to both those staying in shelter, former guests, and the surrounding community; and St. Catherine’s of Hope – Gifted to Hope House by longtime partner Mercy Housing in 2021, St. Catherine’s serves single women and families with a mix of naturally occurring affordable housing and subsidized units for those who previously experienced homelessness.
Family Flex Fund
With leadership from the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and IMPACT Inc, Hope House has become a partner in the new Family Flex Fund.
Family Bonds
Our flagship Rapid Re-housing Program. Taking our most vulnerable and settling them in apartments of their own.
Family Allies
Permanent supportive housing specifically for families in which one person (usually a parent) is struggling due to a disability.
An enduring community of women and families, and important asset for improving housing security in Milwaukee.
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Shining Stars Youth Education
Homeless kids have unique challenges and hurdles at school. Our Shining Stars Youth Education Program levels the playing field.
Pathways to Progress
In partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College we provide a bilingual GED program for the people living with us as well as the community at large.
Education Programs
We know that one in 45 children experience homelessness in the United States each year (over 1.6 million children nationwide), and while they are homeless they experience high rates of acute health problems and endure a barrage of stressful and traumatic experiences. They often face the multiple burdens of inadequate interpersonal skills and poor support networks. The Hope House Education programs work to alleviate this inequity by providing nurturing programs in a safe and friendly environment.
Community Wellness
Committed to improving our neighborhood, Hope House continues to offer programs and resources beyond providing shelter. We do this primarily through our free education programs, our Hope House Food Pantry (run by NourishMKE) and our Angel of Hope Clinic (in partnership with Ascension Health).
Hope House Food Pantry
Under the stellar management of NourishMKE, the pantry provides food for families in the 53204 and 53215 zip-codes.
Angel of Hope Health Clinic
Through our ongoing partnership with Ascension Health, we offer medical care on a sliding scale for on-site residents as well as the surrounding community.