Grant in the Spotlight: Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network
Wyss Foundations Announces Grant to Help the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network
The Wyss Foundation is proud to support the ongoing work of the Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network (PIHN), a homelessness prevention, shelter, housing, and multi-service center for families in the Philadelphia area. Over the past 7 years, the Wyss Foundation funding has helped PIHN develop innovative and cost-effective housing approaches to the growing gap between relatively flat wages and rapidly rising housing costs.
“We continue to be impressed with the ability of PIHN to develop and put into action programs that create real change to solve the homelessness problem in the Philadelphia region. These programs have brought about lasting improvement to the lives of hundreds in the region,” Molly McUsic, President of the Wyss Foundation.
Last year’s Wyss grant helped jumpstart a homelessness prevention program that offered at-risk households targeted financial assistance to prevent evictions and to expedite leases for already displaced and doubled-up households. The result was that 60 families remained safely housed in their neighborhoods of choice and 120 children were able to avoid the negative impact of homelessness. In only one year, the program attracted enough investment to double in size in the year ahead.
“The funding provided by the Wyss Foundation led to the success of PIHN’s homelessness prevention program and helped convince the Philadelphia City Council to focus on homelessness prevention as demonstrated by a commitment of $4 million in public funding for community-based homelessness prevention services over the next 5 years. In short, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of the Wyss Foundation,” Rachel Falkove, PIHN Executive Director.
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About the Wyss Foundation - The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land.
About Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network - 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.