In July, we shared a Q&A to help you learn more about how HFF was being affected by decisions being made in the political sphere. As we near the end of 2025, we want to provide an update. One of our top priorities remains providing a candid and open channel of communication between our organization and you, our partners and supporters.
Q1: How has HFF been impacted by the government shutdown and the pause in SNAP benefits?
A: Over 2/3 of the families we serve rely on SNAP to afford nutritious food. Even with SNAP benefits, our families often require additional assistance to afford the food and crucial household items necessary for meeting basic needs. We fully anticipate an increased need for our food and resource pantry as a result of interruptions caused by the shutdown, as well as an increased strain on already restricted family budgets due to rising costs of both housing and food.
How you can help: Consider hosting a food drive on behalf of HFF with friends, family, and coworkers, or providing a monetary donation to help us offset growing expenses of keeping our resource pantry fully-stocked.
Q2: Are any of HFF’s housing or educational programs in danger of ceasing operations?
A: Yes. Already because of a cessation of funding, we had to sunset our Success and Resiliency Bridge programs that provided eligible students and working professionals with housing and financial assistance necessary for them to obtain college credits toward degree completion, or earn certifications in rapid-growth career fields. The sun-setting of these programs, which were true poverty alleviation programs, not only creates a service gap in housing assistance, but also adversely affects the viability of our community’s skilled workforce.
Additionally, our Transition-Age Youth housing program and Dowd Afterschool and Summer Achievers continue to be at severe risk due to budget changes. Serving 18-24 year-olds, our Transition-Age Youth program, known as TAY, is our largest housing program, both in term of numbers served and grant funding. Without it, we would lose vital resources (and staff) to provide critical housing interventions and homelessness prevention for young adults and their young families. New changes to the funding mechanism now put this program in jeopardy. We will keep you updated as more funding details emerge.
How you can help: While individual donations are always appreciated, program sponsorships are necessary to keep these important programs afloat. Even if you’re not in the position to provide the latter, you can help by connecting us to community stakeholders, businesses, and foundations with adequate funding capability. It’s all about the power of networking!
Q3: What measures are HFF taking to ensure continued service to families?
A: We continue to be as proactive and as innovative as possible while paying close attention to crucial funding streams that may be in danger of being cut. We are closely monitoring proposed federal reductions–especially to HUD-funded programs, such as the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), which provides the funding to help reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness. We continue to meet with policymakers and funding partners to advocate for the preservation of essential housing programs, but we’re also preparing for a future in which the Federal dollars we depend upon cease to exist or are drastically reduced. To that end, we have been hard at work expanding our partnerships to continue diversifying our revenue streams while also reviewing and augmenting our service models to be more resilient in the face of an uncertain future in Federal funding.
How you can help: We want you on our team. Whether you opt in to be a Stability Partner (our monthly giving program), connect us with community stakeholders and changemakers, or join our Board of Trustees, you can help amplify our efforts to continue meeting the increasing needs of families experiencing housing crises.
Q4: What are simple ways that I can help HFF right now?
A: We’re stronger together, and collectively, our actions can create a major impact. Here are three easy ways you can join us right now in the fight to end family homelessness:
- Like and share our social media posts. We regularly post on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and we need your help to get our posts in front of as many eyes as possible.
- Sign up for our monthly giving program. Every amount is significant, and reliable contributions help us offer consistent support to our clients and their families.
- Host a food drive or a third-party fundraiser. Whether you’re gathering your coworkers, your friends, or your child’s classroom, you can make a tangible difference in the name of providing housing for all. Check out our tool kit for ideas and everything you need to get started.
This holiday season, you can give the greatest gift.
With family shelter stays averaging 118 days, the work we do is needed now more than ever – along with your support. Your donation ensures that we can continue providing the level of programming that helps families secure safe, stable housing.
Thanks to those who have already contributed this holiday season. Your partnership and support mean the world to us, and even more to the families we serve.
