In this issue:
A Year-End Message from the CEO
HomeAid Affiliates Celebrate Completed Projects
Bringing Homelessness Into Focus - A Permanent Home
HomeAid Affiliates Spread Holiday Joy at Past Projects
Ways to Give - The year-end season brings a unique opportunity to give back
HomeAid North Texas has an inaugural BOD meeting
Recommended Reading - The Five Graces of Life and Leadership, Gary Burnison
HomeAid Inland Empire Featured in Builder & Developer
HomeAid National Office Closed for the Holiday Season Dec. 24 -Jan 1
HomeAid Sponsors
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Building a Future Without Homelessness: A Year-End Message
Dear Friends,
As 2024 comes to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible work we’ve accomplished together this year. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit HomeAid Los Angeles’ renovation project in the historic West Adams community. This home, serving the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation, will provide foster youth with a safe place to transition into adulthood.
Standing on that site, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this single project represents the heart of HomeAid’s mission. From Los Angeles to DC to Seattle to Hawaii and soon to North Texas, every HomeAid project is a testament to what we can achieve together.
Over the last 35 years, we:
- Built and Renovated: Completed 1,333 projects, creating safe and dignified spaces for over 900,000 individuals and families facing or at risk of homelessness.
- Engaged Communities: Partnered with thousands of volunteers and local businesses to bring compassion and resources to those in need.
- Educated and Expanded: Fostered understanding of homelessness through advocacy and launched new affiliates like HomeAid Georgia, with plans to enter North Texas in 2025.
One moment that especially stands out to me comes from the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation project. A foundation member shared, “This is more than a building—it’s a place where dreams will take root.” That’s the power of what we do together.
But our work is far from over. As we prepare for 2025, your continued support is essential to ensure we can expand our reach, complete even more transformative projects, and provide education and advocacy that make lasting change possible.
I invite you to join us in this critical mission. A year-end gift today will help us create more homes, more hope, and a brighter future for the nearly 600,000 individuals and families facing homelessness in America.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are building not just homes, but a future without homelessness.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season!
With gratitude,
Scott Larson
CEO, HomeAid America
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HomeAid Affiliates Celebrate Completed Projects
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HomeAid Orange County recently dedicated FX Residences, 16 units of permanent supportive housing with wrap-around services for people experiencing chronic homelessness. This landmark achievement was only possible thanks to the tireless efforts of community and business leaders, donors, builders, staff, and so many others. Thank you for helping HomeAid build a future without homelessness!
HomeAid Utah recently celebrated the completion of their latest project at The Family Support Center's LifeStart Village, made possible by our amazing Builder Captain, Woodside Homes!
LifeStart Village is dedicated to helping single-parent families move from dependency to self-sufficiency, offering housing and supportive services to heal from past trauma, rebuild relationships, and create brighter futures.
HomeAid National Capital Region gathered in early December to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of their recently completed renovation project at Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia's Peace House in Leesburg. Renovations to the Peace House, a single-family home, included a remodeled kitchen with new appliances; updates to the HVAC system, bathrooms, and laundry room; fresh paint and new lighting throughout; repairs to the exterior stairways and windows in order to improve functionality; and enhanced storage and safety.
The project’s Builder Captain, Knutson Companies along with Eastern Applicators, Noble Construction and VCI also built and installed a custom playhouse for the children who will live at Peace House.
HomeAid Northern California is excited for the completion of their newest micro-home village in early December. Hope Village, a community of 6 micro homes & 1 office/laundry unit to serve Seniors experiencing homelessness. These 225-250 square foot units are built using the same materials and California Housing and Community Development (HCD) quality standards as our own homes. They include a kitchenette, bathroom and shower, bed and dining area. The communities take advantage of underutilized property on a church site to provide unsheltered people access to housing. In addition, residents would share an outdoor patio space, laundry facility, and an office where on-site social services would be coordinated and delivered.
HomeAid Northern California partnered with Builder Captain The Pulte Group on the construction of this micro-home village.
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Bringing the Issue of Homelessness into Focus
A Permanent Home: A master-planned community of micro homes
By Caitie Wells – HomeAid Austin
Homelessness has become part of our shared landscape—an invisible crisis that we’re almost trained to overlook. According to Sam Tsemberis, the originator of the Housing First model in the US, humans have to essentially shut down our own humanity to be able to walk by another human being experiencing homelessness. For many of us, it probably feels like a problem too big to tackle alone. But among the many dedicated organizations addressing homelessness in Austin, Texas, Mobile Loaves & Fishes did not walk by. They saw the need and responded by creating Community First! Village is a place of community and transformation for those who have been experiencing chronic homelessness.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines chronic homelessness as when an individual has been experiencing homelessness for a year or more or has at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Community First! Village is designed for individuals coming out of chronic homelessness by offering affordable, permanent housing. A master-planned community of micro homes, The Village has been intentionally designed to encourage community. Each home has a front porch, and homes are clustered around common areas with laundry rooms, restroom and shower facilities, outdoor community kitchens, and green space. These shared areas encourage interactions among neighbors, helping them form relationships and build community. Along with housing, they also offer multiple programs that help get neighbors back on their feet. Through the Community Works program, residents are able to rediscover a purpose and apply their unique talents to earn a dignified income. Shelia, a neighbor at The Village, says, “Living here has brought change to my life, and now I am able to help somebody else. This is how to build a community.”
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Affiliates and Their Partners Spread Holiday Spirit at HomeAid ProjectsHomAid Portland spreads the holiday spirit with a night of caroling at a service provider partner facility. A wonderful time was had with supporter Luke Morley’s kazoo band making its annual caroling outing to Janus Youth Programs / Cordero House for at-risk youth.
HomeAid Colorado and Lennar Homes brought joy by decorating the homes at VOA's Clermont Commons, Denver Children's Home, and BeyondHome, creating festive and welcoming spaces. Valor Landscape added the magic by hanging dazzling lights on the roofs.
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The year-end season brings a unique opportunity to give back
The year-end season brings a unique opportunity to give back to the causes that resonate with you. We at HomeAid couldn't do it alone, and we depend on the generosity of our donors.
Traditional methods like one-time donations remain impactful and most needed. If you would like to explore creative avenues to maximize your generosity, consider setting up recurring donations with a set amount each month. This consistent support ensures a steady stream of funds for the organization throughout the year. For those seeking tax benefits, consider donating appreciated stocks or securities. This allows you to avoid capital gains taxes while making a significant contribution.
Moreover, volunteering your time can be as valuable as monetary donations. From sorting items to packaging care kits to participating in diaper drives or other activities, your hands-on involvement can make a lasting difference. Remember, giving isn't limited to financial contributions. Sharing your skills, knowledge, or simply your time can have a profound impact on those in need.
Every donation, large or small, has the power to make a difference, and we are grateful for that.
Happy Holidays!
Please reach out to Marisol Parand at mparand@homeaid.org with questions.
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HomeAid North Texas Board of Directors had an inaugural meeting earlier this month
HomeAid is proud to announce the launch of our newest affiliate: HomeAid North Texas. The inaugural board held its first official meeting on December 6, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey in the North Texas region.
Starting in 2025, HomeAid North Texas will focus on supporting individuals and families at risk or experiencing homelessness, bringing hope, stability, and resources to those who need it most.
Congratulations to the inaugural board — your leadership and dedication will help make a lasting impact in the North Texas community!
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The Five Graces of Life and Leadership by Gary Burnison
In The Five Graces of Life and Leadership, Gary Burnison delivers a powerful and practical guide to leading with heart and purpose. Using the acronym G.R.A.C.E.—Gratitude, Resilience, Aspiration, Courage, and Empathy—Burnison illustrates the traits that not only define great leaders but also elevate our personal and professional lives.
Each chapter dives deeply into grace, weaving together real-world examples, reflective insights, and actionable advice. Burnison’s writing is both relatable and inspiring, making it easy to connect with his message on a personal level while envisioning its application in organizational settings.
At HomeAid, this book resonates deeply with our mission to build a future without homelessness. The principles of G.R.A.C.E. align perfectly with the core values we embody in our work:
- Gratitude reminds us to celebrate the progress we’ve made and the partnerships that make our mission possible.
- Resilience strengthens our resolve to persevere in the face of challenges as we create safe and dignified housing.
- Aspiration encourages us to dream big and reach higher, expanding our impact for those in need.
- Courage empowers us to confront tough issues and take bold steps to innovate and lead.
- Empathy connects us to the individuals and families we serve, reminding us that every effort we make changes lives.
During our 2025 Planning Retreat, The Five Graces provided a meaningful foundation for our discussions and planning. It helped us align our goals with these timeless principles, fostering deeper connections among our team and inspiring us to approach our work with renewed purpose.
We highly recommend The Five Graces of Life and Leadership to anyone looking to lead with authenticity and compassion. It is a must-read for those who believe that true leadership extends beyond tasks and strategy—it’s about creating a lasting impact on the people and communities around us.
As we carry forward the lessons from this book, we invite our community to join us in embracing G.R.A.C.E. in our shared mission to end homelessness. Together, we can make a difference.
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| The HomeAid National office will be closed from December 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025, for the holidays. We look forward to working with you in the New Year to build a future without homelessness.
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