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live in inadequate housing conditions (UN-Habitat, 2022). 
Many of those people live without access to basic services 
and sanitation, and struggle with housing costs. Housing 
insecurity is a global issue, but often we fail to understand 
the complexities. The United Nations (2023) defines 
homelessness as:

Persons living in the streets, in open spaces or cars; 
persons living in temporary emergency accommodation, 
in women’s shelters, in camps or other temporary 
accommodation provided to internally displaced persons, 
refugees or migrants; and persons living in severely 
inadequate and insecure housing, such as residents of 
informal settlements. 

This type of housing insecurity violates the very principle 
of inherent human dignity as established in articles 1 and 22 
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The concept 
that all human beings are born equal and that each of us is 
entitled to social and cultural rights is an indispensable one 
for all humanity. Yet homelessness remains a global crisis 
and is experienced by members of our local communities as 
well. As citizens of a democracy, we should offer unwavering 
advocacy in support of a community-wide commitment of 
eliminating housing insecurity.

Housing insecurity does not discriminate by race, age, or 
gender, and could happen to any person.  The challenges 
confront us all and could occur at any time, resulting in an 
unexpected information need. Looking for information and 
available resources is time consuming. Vetting organizations, 
determining eligibility and the scope of each entity can be 
a long, arduous process. The list with links below suggests 
resources that may be relevant to housing insecurity -- from 

addressing basic hygiene needs to fighting generational 
poverty. While this list is not exhaustive, identified resources 
are from the United States, as well as the international ones 
offered by the United Nations.

UN-Habitat. (2022). Priorities 2022-2023: Adequate housing, 
cities and climate change, and localizing the sustainable 
development goals. United Nations. https://unhabitat.org/
sites/default/files/2022/05/priorities_2022-2023_adequate_
housing_cities_and_climate_change_and_localising_
sdgs_04142022.pdf

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 
(2022). Homelessness and human rights. United Nations. 
https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-housing/
homelessness-and-human-rights

north america
united states
Chapin Hall, University of Chicago: Voices of Youth 
Count (https://voicesofyouthcount.org/) 

Supports communities across the United States and beyond – 
based in Chicago, IL

Mission: Voices of Youth Count is a national Chapin Hall 
initiative to bring actionable evidence to prevent and end 
youth homelessness.

Discover the initiative’s four-phase strategy to preventing 
youth homelessness (https://www.chapinhall.org/project/
new-opportunities-the-youth-homelessness-prevention-
initiative/). 

Homelessness and Housing  
Organizational Profiles

Authors
Introduction by MAHASIN AMEEN, Teaching and Learning Librarian, Indiana University Indianapolis 
 
List Compiled by H. JAD REA, MLIS Student, Indiana University Indianapolis 

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Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. 
(enterprisecommunity.org)

Supports communities across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, D.C., 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Mission: Our mission is to make home and community 
places of pride, power and belonging.

Learn more about Enterprise’s impact on systems, 
communities, and people across America (https://www.
enterprisecommunity.org/about/our-impact).

HELP USA (helpusa.org) 
Supports communities across New York City and 
Philadelphia – based in New York City, NY 
Mission: HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a 
place to call home.

Explore HELP USA’s resources for those facing 
homelessness, domestic violence, or are in danger of being 
evicted (https://www.helpusa.org/get-help/).

Housing Trust Funds Project (housingtrustfundproject.org)

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Portland, OR

Mission: The Project operates as a clearinghouse of 
information on housing trust funds throughout the country, 
and provides technical assistance to organizations and 
agencies working to create or implement these funds.

Learn more about the process of proposing and organizing 
a housing trust fund (https://housingtrustfundproject.org/
campaigns/the-basics/).

National ADAPT (nationaladapt.org) 

Supports communities across the United States

Mission: ADAPT is a national grass-roots community that 
organizes disability rights activists to engage in nonviolent 
direct action, including civil disobedience, to assure the 
civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in 
freedom.

Find your local group (https://nationaladapt.org/adapt-
groups/).

National Alliance to End Homelessness (endhomelessness.
org/) 

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a 
nonpartisan organization committed to preventing and ending 
homelessness in the United States.

Learn to create a coordinated community-wide approach to 
address homelessness (https://endhomelessness.org/ending-
homelessness/solutions/creating-systems-that-work/).

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment 
Officials (NAHRO) (nahro.org/) 

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: NAHRO members create and manage affordable 
housing for low- and middle-income families, and support 
vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all.

Learn how NAHRO’s Housing America Campaign raises 
awareness about affordable housing (https://www.nahro.org/
about/housingamerica/).

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (nchv.org/)

Support communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans 
(NCHV) is the resource and technical assistance center for a 
national network of community-based service providers and 
local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and 
supportive housing, food, health services, job training and 
placement assistance, legal aid and case management support 
for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.

Learn more about veteran homelessness in America  
(https://nchv.org/veteran-homelessness/).

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National Health Care for the Homeless Council  
(nhchc.org/)

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Nashville, TN

Mission: Grounded in human rights and social justice, the 
NHCHC mission is to build an equitable, high-quality health 
care system through training, research, and advocacy in the 
movement to end homelessness.

Explore NHCHC webinar and online resources for those 
working at the intersection of homelessness and healthcare 
(https://nhchc.org/webinars/).

National Homelessness Law Center (homelesslaw.org/)

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: Fearlessly advance federal, state and local policies 
to prevent and end homelessness while fiercely defending the 
rights of all unhoused persons.

Read the Law Center’s evaluation of the United States response 
to housing and homelessness in 2023 (https://homelesslaw.org/
wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ReportCard2023.pdf).

National Housing Law Project (nhlp.org/)

Supports communities across the United States – offices in San 
Francisco, CA, and Washington, D.C.

Mission: The National Housing Law Project’s mission is to 
advance housing justice for poor people and communities.

Discover NHLP’s online resources for tenant rights and 
the housing movement (https://www.nhlp.org/trainings-
publications/).

National Low Income Housing Coalition (nlihc.org/)

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: NLIHC educates, organizes and advocates to ensure 
decent, affordable housing for everyone.

Explore housing needs by state (https://nlihc.org/housing-
needs-by-state). 

 

National Rural Housing Coalition (https://
ruralhousingcoalition.org/) 

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: NRHC works to promote and defend the principle 
that rural people have the right — regardless of income — to a 
decent, affordable place to live, clean drinking water, and basic 
community services.

Learn about NRHC’s legislative campaigns to meet rural 
housing needs (https://ruralhousingcoalition.org/take-action/). 

NeighborWorks America (neighborworks.org/home) 

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for 
people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and 
strengthen their communities.

Explore a network of community nonprofits addressing housing 
issues (https://www.neighborworks.org/Our-Network.aspx). 

Pathways Home (pathwayshome.org/) 

Supports communities across Birmingham – based in 
Birmingham, AL

Mission: Empowering women and children on their path out of 
homelessness through hospitality, housing, and hope.

Explore Pathways programs for temporary and permanent 
housing for women and children experiencing homelessness 
(https://www.pathwayshome.org/what-we-do/). 

Project HOPE (prohope.org/) 

Supports communities across Boston – based in Boston, MA

Mission: Project HOPE Boston works in partnership 
with women and families in the Dorchester and Roxbury 
neighborhoods of Boston on their journeys up and out of 
poverty. We do this by being a catalyst for change in the lives 
of families, developing and providing programs and family 
support solutions to alleviate poverty and homelessness.

Discover Project HOPE Boston’s community impact  
(https://www.prohope.org/impact#). 

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Project Place (projectplace.org/) 

Supports communities across Boston – based in Boston, MA

Mission: Project Place promotes a community of hope and 
opportunity for homeless and low-income individuals by 
providing the skills, education and resources needed to 
obtain and sustain employment and housing.

Explore Project Place’s skill development and employment 
readiness programs (https://projectplace.org/how-we-help/). 

Prosperity Indiana (prosperityindiana.org)

Supports communities across Indiana -- based in 
Indianapolis, IN

Mission: Prosperity Indiana organizes all of its work within 
its REAP Prosperity framework: providing Resources, 
opportunities for Engagement, Advocacy, and signature 
Programs that support members' work. 

Learn more about Prosperity Indiana's work through their 
online resources and their ongoing webinar series: Legal 
Help for Housing Stability (https://prosperityindiana.org/
event-5453293)

Purpose. Dignitity. Action: JustCARE program  
(https://wearepda.org/programs/justcare/)

Supports communities across King County, WA – based in 
Seattle, WA

Mission: JustCARE is a response to the increase in people 
living unsheltered in vulnerable communities trying to 
rebound from the COVID economic crisis.

Discover how JustCARE helps transition participants into 
permanent, stable housing (https://wearepda.org/justcare-an-
analysis-of-housing-and-other-outcomes/).

Raikes Foundation: Housing Stability for Youth  
(https://www.raikesfoundation.org/what-we-do/housing-
stability-for-youth) 

Supports communities across Washington state – based in 
Seattle, WA

Mission: The Raikes Foundation works with young people, 
multi-sector coalitions, and policymakers to not only respond 

to youth and young adult homelessness in Washington State 
and across the U.S. but also to prevent it from happening in 
the first place.

Explore the Raikes Foundation’s support of the 
national Education Leads Home campaign (https://
educationleadshome.org/about-the-campaign/). 

Resident Owned Communities (ROC) USA (https://
rocusa.org/about-roc-usa/mission-history/) 

Supports communities across the United States – based in 
Concord, NH

Mission: ROC USA® was launched in May 2008 by 
national and regional nonprofits that joined together to 
serve one mission: To make quality resident ownership 
viable nationwide and to expand economic opportunities for 
homeowners in manufactured (mobile) home communities.

Learn about ROC USA’s impact from residents and 
community members on the ground (https://rocusa.org/
stories/the-opportunity-to-really-have-it-all/). 

Spokane Homeless Coalition (http://www.spokanehc.com/) 

Supports communities across the Greater Spokane area – 
based in Spokane, WA

Mission: The Spokane Homeless Coalition is made up of 
more than 1300 individuals representing more than 200 
agencies, meal sites, churches and ministries in the Greater 
Spokane area, all committed to serving those in need 
throughout our community.

Explore a network of community organizations providing 
support for individuals experiencing homelessness in the 
Spokane area (http://www.spokanehc.com/finding-help.
html). 

Urban Institute (https://www.urban.org/) 

Supporting communities across the United States – based in 
Washington, D.C.

Mission: To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions 
through economic and social policy research.

Explore the Urban Institute’s Data Tools to inform decisions 
and shape policy (https://www.urban.org/data-tools). 

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canada
Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa (https://www.
endhomelessnessottawa.ca/) 

Supports communities across Ottawa – based in Ottawa, ON

Mission: The Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa is 
a member-driven coalition of people and organizations 
working together to end homelessness through systems 
planning and coordination, public education and advocacy, 
and community-wide mobilization.

Explore how the Alliance is building a political foundation 
through the city-wide Starts With Home campaign (https://
www.endhomelessnessottawa.ca/starts_with_home_
campaign). 

Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (https://caeh.ca/)

Supports communities across Canada – based in Calgary, AB

Mission: The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness 
leads a national movement of individuals, organizations 
and communities working together to end homelessness in 
Canada.

Discover the Built for Zero Canada strategy to educate, 
engage, and mobilize communities to end chronic 
homelessness and veteran homelessness (https://bfzcanada.
ca/getting-to-zero/). 

Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (https://www.
homelesshub.ca/OFHA) 

Supports communities across Canada – based in Toronto, ON

Mission: The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness 
(COH) is a non-partisan research and policy partnership 
between academics, policy and decision makers, service 
providers and people with lived experience of homelessness.

Learn more about recent research on the lack of affordable 
housing for Black communities in the Vancouver, BC, area 
(https://www.homelesshub.ca/blog/lack-affordable-housing-
black-communities-metro-vancouver).

Engage and Change (https://engageandchange.org/)

Supports communities across Toronto – based in Toronto, 
ON

Mission: Engage and Change gives people and companies 
the opportunities to do hands on group volunteer projects that 
assemble and build kits to assist in the alleviation of poverty.

Learn about Project Water, a hands-on initiative to address 
rates of unhoused people who die from dehydration every 
summer (https://engageandchange.org/project-water/). 

Hands Up Canada (http://handsupcanada.ca/) 

Supports communities across northern Canada – based in 
Toronto, ON

Mission: Hands Up Canada supports education in ensuring 
that students from poor, underemployed and disadvantaged 
families and communities have quality learning supplies 
along with the adequate nutrition, motivation and 
encouragement to pursue their studies and improve 
their future opportunities. Learn more about support for 
individuals living in poverty, including hygiene items and 
shelter (http://handsupcanada.ca/projects/2764-2/). 

The Period Purse (https://www.theperiodpurse.com/) 

Supports communities in Ontario and other provinces – 
based in Toronto, ON

Mission: The Period Purse creates menstrual equity by 
ensuring sustainable access to period products for all, and by 
ending the stigma associated with periods through education 
and advocacy.

Explore how the Period Purse reaches out to and partners 
with First Nations communities to make menstrual care 
accessible (https://www.theperiodpurse.com/indigenous-
communities.html). 

The Shoebox Project for Women (https://www.
shoeboxproject.ca/home) 

Supports communities across Canada – based in Toronto, ON

Mission: To uplift and empower women who are 
experiencing or at-risk-of homelessness through in-kind 
support, education, and community participation.

Learn how to make a Shoebox Gift (https://www.
shoeboxproject.ca/how-to-make-a-shoebox). 

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Quest Food Exchange (https://www.questoutreach.org/) 

Supports communities across British Columbia – based in 
Vancouver, BC

Mission: By bridging the gap between food banks and 
traditional grocery stores, Quest provides a grocery 
experience based on principles of dignity, access, and 
sustainability.

Learn about the upcoming 2023 Holiday Hamper Drive 
(https://www.questoutreach.org/blog/holiday-volunteer/). 

mexico
Mi Valedor (https://www.mivaledor.com/en/home-english/) 

Supports communities across Mexico City – based in 
Colonia Juárez, Mexico City

Mission: To build a healthy community with the valedores, in 
which workshops are imparted to strengthen their skills, and 
to collectively create a cultural magazine, the sales of which 
allow them to generate additional income.

Browse articles from the current and archived issues of their 
street magazine, Mi Valedor (https://www.mivaledor.com/en/
category/magazine/). 

Promoción y Acción Comunitaria I.A.P. (PACO) (https://
pacoiap.org/) 

Supports communities across Mexico City – based in 

Mission: To help vulnerable people through three assistance 
programs directed at children, youths, adults, and elderly 
people, including support for food, education, health, 
housing, and clothing with the goal of that community 
assistance leading to better living conditions.

Discover PACO’s current and past programs (https://pacoiap.
org/index.php/programas). 

international organizations
Homeless World Cup (https://www.homelessworldcup.org/) 

Supporting communities across the world – based in 
Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Listen to their podcast interviews with activists and leaders 
working on the ground (https://www.homelessworldcup.org/
podcast). 

International Network of Street Papers  
(https://www.insp.ngo/) 

Supporting independent journalists across the world – based 
in Glasgow, Scotland

Mission: To support the global street paper network to 
alleviate poverty and build a movement for social change.

Find your local street paper (https://www.insp.ngo/network). 

nigeria
Brickify Ltd. (https://www.facebook.com/RealBrickify) 
(website under construction)

Supports communities in Lagos and beyond – based in 
Lagos, LA

Mission: Brickify recycles plastic waste bags into building 
bricks and lumber that are used to construct roads and build 
low-cost housing in Nigeria.

Watch Brickify turn plastic waste into a sofa (https://www.
facebook.com/watch/?v=1935964536758786). 

Homeless Not Hopeless Nigeria (http://hnhnigeria.org.ng/)

Supporting communities in Ibadan and beyond – based at the 
University of Ibadan, OY

Mission: Homeless Not Hopeless Nigeria is a student-led 
non-profit organization founded in May 2020 to address the 
issue of homelessness and its numerous ugly consequences 
in Nigeria.

Read about the intersection of homelessness and mental 
health (http://hnhnigeria.org.ng/Monthly-Articles/).

 

 
 

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india
Pehchan India (https://pehchanindia.org/) 

Supports communities across Mumbai – based in Mumbai, 
MH

Mission: 

Learn more about the My Mumbai Project (in partnership 
with MyLondon/Cafe Art), which distributed cameras to 
unhoused individuals in Mumbai and created a photograph 
exhibit to share their stories (https://www.cafeart.org.uk/post/
how-did-mymumbai-go). 

Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) Delhi  
(https://www.salaambaalaktrust.com/) 

Supports communities across Delhi – based in New Delhi, 
DL

Mission: SBT provides a sensitive and caring environment 
for street and working children, and those in difficult 
circumstances. It seeks to provide a platform for children 
to realize their full potential, their right to a safe and secure 
space, education, and health and nutrition.

Learn about the Trust’s City Walk tours, led by formerly 
unhoused children and teens who share stories of their lives 
on the streets of New Delhi’s neighborhoods (https://www.
salaambaalaktrust.com/city-walks.php). 

european union
FEANSTA (https://www.feantsa.org/en/about-us/what-is-
feantsa) 

Supporting communities across the European Union – based 
in Brussels, Belgium

Mission: We are the only European NGO focusing 
exclusively on the fight against homelessness. Our ultimate 
goal is an end to homelessness in Europe.

Discover FEANSTA’s past and current projects with partners 
across the EU (https://www.feantsa.org/en/activities/
projects). 

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