Dignity Housing
Dignity Housing, founded in 1988, is the first housing and supportive services program in the U.S. to be guided by homeless people and activists, providing quality affordable housing and supportive services primarily to single African American women and their children in Northwest Philadelphia.
About Dignity Housing
Dignity Housing is the first housing and supportive services program in the nation founded and guided by homeless people and activists. Established in 1988, it has served over 5,000 homeless families and individuals. The organization's mission is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty faced by low-income families and individuals in Philadelphia, offering quality affordable housing and support services, particularly targeting single African American women and their children.
Housing Programs Offered by Dignity Housing
Dignity Housing provides quality and affordable housing through three main programs: Alicia’s House, Better Options for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), and the Enhanced Services Project (ESP). Alicia’s House is designed for families and individuals experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, offering secured, gated transitional housing. The BOSS program supports families who became homeless due to substance addiction and are in recovery. ESP focuses on long-term supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals with disabilities, including chronic substance abuse, HIV-AIDS, dual diagnoses, or physical disabilities.
Supportive Services at Dignity Housing
Dignity Housing offers a range of supportive services aimed at promoting the self-sufficiency of its residents. These services include case management, health and wellness support, as well as education and employment assistance. The organization also runs an After School Enrichment Program providing a safe and structured environment for homeless and low-income children. Additionally, a computer lab is available to the public as part of the KEYSPOT Network.
Community Engagement by Dignity Housing
Dignity Housing collaborates with community groups, local schools, and volunteers to offer various cultural workshops, trips, and activities for children. The organization also launched Beverly’s Playground campaign to build a playground for its residents and their children. Furthermore, Dignity Housing has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships through the Alicia Christian Education and Life Skills Scholarship Fund to support the educational aspirations of its residents.
Dignity Housing's Resident Intake Process
Residents of Dignity Housing come through Philadelphia’s Centralized Homeless Intake Services, which is managed by the City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services. This intake process ensures that those who are most in need of housing and supportive services receive the necessary assistance to transition from homelessness to stable living conditions.