Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN) seeks to end family homelessness in Philadelphia by mobilizing congregational volunteers and community resources to meet neighbors’ emergency needs (shelter, food, and clothing); and by providing continued guidance and support to achieve self-‐sufficiency in affordable housing.
PIHN promotes lasting solutions to homelessness by building relationships between caring volunteers and families who are homeless; and by advocating for public policies that support employment, access to education, and affordable housing opportunities.
• We believe in the dignity and worth of every human being.
• We believe that each person should have a safe place to call “home.”
• We believe that all families experiencing homelessness can achieve stability.
• We believe in helping people in need in a non-judgmental way.
• We are deeply concerned about the poverty and injustice underlying homelessness in our communities.
• We believe in an action-‐oriented approach to improve individual lives and promote systemic change.
• Families should be able to stay together in emergency and/or transitional housing, regardless of age and gender configurations. Privacy is also important to family preservation.
• Families tend to do better when they can stay closer to familiar schools and support networks.
• Families’ basic needs must be met before focusing on self-‐sufficiency goals.
• A trauma-‐informed, holistic model enables each family member to heal and grow.
• Access to education, training and personal growth opportunities is essential to upward mobility, within and across generations.
• Access to continued follow-‐up and support leads to long-‐term success.
NPIHN from Annmarie Avila on Vimeo.
Octavia tells her story and experience with the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network
A Newsworks.org piece on life in the NPIHN program
