Pathways to Home launched in 2009 as a local, grassroots response to the national crisis of family homelessness, which resulted from the housing market collapse. The community collaboration included social service agencies, religious organizations, and the Seminole County Public School System. Even as the housing market began to recover, it became evident that there continued to be a population of vulnerable families at- risk of homelessness due to the Central Florida region’s low-wages and high rents. In 2013, Pathways to Home became a program of Embrace Families Solutions. In 2017 through a grant from the Homeless Services Network, Pathways to Home services were expanded throughout the Central Florida tri-county region.
Today, Pathways to Home serves families in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties and operates with six full-time and five part-time staff, contracted case management services, and the support of volunteers. With local, state and federal government funding, corporate and foundation grants, and individual contributions, Pathways to Home helps homeless families overcome the obstacles to their independence.
The success of our efforts is determined by the knowledge, creativity and dedication of all those involved in Pathways to Home. At the very core of all that we do are the partner agencies working together to coordinate and integrate services and support for families with children without stable housing and other necessities.
Our goals to increase housing and family stability:
- 89% of families in Permanent Supportive Housing Project will remain stably housed in project or exit project to permanent housing one year after enrollment
- 60% of head of households in Permanent Supportive Housing Project will maintain or increase total income one year after enrollment.
- 80% of families in Rapid Rehousing Project will move into permanent housing in 90 days.
- 80% of families in Rapid Rehousing Project will exit project remaining in permanent housing.
- 85% of households exiting Rapid Rehousing Project to permanent housing will not become homeless again within a year.
Pathways to Home utilizes, in part, the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix to measure program effectiveness. Program also implements the National Alliance to End Homelessness rapid rehousing program performance evaluation plan.
Embrace Families Solutions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is affiliated with Embrace Families, the state-contracted, lead nonprofit agency managing the local child welfare system for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. www.embracefamilies.org.