Since April 2010, Florence House has been a solution to homelessness. Florence House combines emergency shelter and permanent housing with 24/7 social work support for chronically homeless women.

In the past 15 years, nearly 2,500 women experiencing homelessness have found a safe bed and a warm meal in the low-barrier shelter. And nearly 70 women over the years have found a permanent home and 24/7 support in one of the 25 apartments at Florence House.

Women like Misty, who spent time in the shelter before moving into her own apartment at Florence House. Misty shares that “I’m very grateful for Florence House. Once I got in here, that meant I would never have to worry about being out in the cold or in the rain or hungry again…I don’t wish that on anybody.”

At the opening of Florence House, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan said, “Our challenge is to house everyone — and Florence House is showing us how we can.” Fifteen years later, Florence House is still showing us how we can.