Homestretch, Inc.

Our vision is to ensure that all client families will graduate from Homestretch with the skills, knowledge, and hope they need to escape the cycle of poverty. To that end our primary goal is to demonstrate at least a 90% success rate for our graduates, which means at least 90% of the families who complete the program are housed and employed long after exiting. We seek to end homelessness permanently for those who complete the program.

Homestretch embodies the belief that high expectations produce outstanding achievements. Our strategy therefore encompasses these aspects:

• Measurable results.

• Comprehensive services. Many homeless families, when they come to us, are accustomed to disappointment. They look for a job, but have no way to get there; or they can't afford child care. They would go to school but can't afford it. They would look for a better job but are too exhausted at the end of the day to search for better opportunities. Homestretch assembles support for all of these needs so they get subsidized child care, access to transportation, scholarships for school, help attaining a new or better job, and help with nutrition and health so they feel equipped to work tirelessly toward better futures for their families. Also, Homestretch individualizes its services to meet the needs of families depending on their needs and challenges.

• Financial literacy and freedom from debt. Families saves 10% of their gross income, which Homestretch's Credit Counselor uses to pay off their debts. Homestretch is their tax preparer. Refunds are used to leverage substantial payoffs, further reducing their debt and raising their credit scores. Local banks offer free bank accounts. Clients meet regularly with their case manager and Credit Counselor to review household budgets. Families tell us of their needs so we can get it for them free or discounted, allowing them to save, pay down debts and not incur new debts. For example, don't go buy a car; tell us and we will help you get a car you can afford. Because we provide so much for their children (holiday and birthday gifts, clothing, shoes, medical costs, bicycles, school fees, etc.), they can save and pay off debts to a degree that they would not be able to do outside of the program. Many families make more rapid progress while in Homestretch than at any other time in their lives.

• Education. While in Homestretch, a parent can pursue education at no cost to themselves, so they incur no debt. Because their household costs are so low, they can work part time and attend school without falling behind. We provide individual tutoring and help with books and other school fees. Because we emphasize education for all members of the family, it is possible that both the adults and children in a single family are being tutoring. We celebrate achievements with incentive awards for children getting good grades and incentive awards for adults achieving degrees or certifications. By celebrating achievements, new clients are inspired to follow in the footsteps of graduating families.

Homestretch has a full time staff of 19 including 4 case managers, an employment counselor, 3 pre-K teachers, a nursery care provider, a relocation coordinator, 2 child services staff, a volunteer coordinator, a grants manager, a director of community relations, a deputy director and an executive director. Part time staff of 3 includes a bookkeeper, custodian and teacher; and contracted staff include a credit counselor and a CFO. Homestretch has a 16 member voluntary Board of Directors. Homestretch uses over 600 volunteers a year, including professionals (tax preparers, home remodelers, attorneys, architects, handymen, doctors, dentists, auto mechanics, etc.) and many non-professionals (tutors, painters, landscapers, organizers of collection drives), and receives donated items including furniture, new clothing, bicycles, food, cars, and computers, for a total in-kind value of around $250,000 a year.

Homestretch works cooperatively with all local shelters, as well as other human service agencies (Shelter House, FACETS, Reston Interfaith, New Hope Housing, Northern Virginia Family Service, Bethany House, plus local schools and hospitals and domestic violence shelters) to coordinate referrals, share services, submit cooperative proposals, and provide linkages for clients. Homestretch works closely with colleges including NOVA and ACE to secure scholarships for adult clients. Homestretch participates with the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and Fairfax County's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. Homestretch has relationships with dozens of churches and synagogues, and dozens of corporations and local companies to provide services, volunteers, financial support and material donations.

Over the last several years, Homestretch outcomes are significant:
• The average rise in income for a family in Homestretch is 137% a year.
• The average adult works part or full time while also pursuing a certification or degree in a vocation that is likely to double or triple their income when completed.
• The average family graduates from Homestretch with over $4,000 in savings. That is remarkable since the average family comes into Homestretch with over $6,000 in debts and ruined credit. This amazing positive $10,000 trajectory is the result of Homestretch families putting 10% of their gross income into a managed savings account which is used to pay off the family's debts. Most families pay off their debts within a year, and then that 10% becomes a savings – a “nest egg" for when they graduate.
• 90% of families complete the program, moving into permanent housing that they can afford.
• 10% of families do so well that they qualify as first time homebuyers within a year of graduation from Homestretch.