As I reflect on 2025, I’m struck by both how far HomeRise has come and how clearly our future is coming into focus. This year marked our 35th anniversary, a powerful reminder that long-term commitment, paired with accountability and compassion, creates real pathways out of homelessness.
Anniversaries invite reflection, but 2025 was not about nostalgia. It was about execution. We advanced a clear, actionable strategic plan that sharpened our focus on housing stability, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability so our work is focused, measurable, and built to last.
And we delivered results that matter. In 2025, vacancy rates decreased to 5%, surpassing the City’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) goal of 7%, at a time when double-digit vacancy rates are common across the industry. Even more importantly, our housing retention rate remained at 98%, well above an 85% benchmark often used in supportive housing.
We also expanded our reach. In 2025, HomeRise served an additional 294 residents reflecting both growing need and our ability to respond with consistent, high-quality support.
We strengthened the community behind this work, too. Donor retention increased to 64% (up from 31%; industry standard is 35% – 45%) and we welcomed 44 new donors, engaged 32 corporate partners, and activated 92 new volunteers.
Organizational sustainability also came into sharper focus. In December 2025, the City selected HomeRise for a tentative award tied to the contract renewal of our 5th and Harrison Transitional Age Youth shelter program, a critical contract supporting continuity for young people, pending final approvals. This renewal also launches a new partnership with 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic, expanding behavioral health, mental health, and wellness services on-site for homeless youth.
Now let’s turn momentum into durability.
- Donate today to keep housing stable and services strong.
- Volunteer to bring real capacity to our teams and community spaces.
- Follow HomeRise on LinkedIn and Instagram and amplify: share this post, comment, and tag someone who should be part of the solution.
Every action widens the circle of support and keeps more neighbors housed.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Janéa Jackson, CEO