We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.

2024: Helped secure historic levels of homeless assistance funding, reaching $4.05 billion – a testament to decades of effective advocacy and system change.

2021: Advanced health and housing integration while combating the criminalization of homelessness through advocacy and education.

2020: Responded to COVID-19 by developing shelter safety protocols and securing $4 billion in emergency funding through the CARES Act.

2019: Advocated for and helped secure $2.64 billion in federal funding for homeless assistance programs, a 57% increase over the decade, to strengthen efforts to prevent and end homelessness.

2018: Launched the Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign with cross-sector partners to advocate for affordable housing as a key strategy to prevent homelessness.

2013–2016: Established Rapid Re-Housing as a key solution nationwide through research, partnerships, and the development of industry standards.

2012–2014: Led the Virginia Initiative, demonstrating rapid re-housing’s effectiveness by helping reduce family homelessness by 25%.

2010–2015: Partnered with federal agencies to reduce veteran homelessness by 47% nationwide through advocacy for HUD-VASH and other veteran housing programs.

2009: Secured $1.5 billion for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Influenced and supported the passage of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, which reauthorized and expanded HUD’s McKinney-Vento programs. The legislation prioritized prevention, rapid re-housing, and outcome-driven approaches, with funding increasing by 68% over the previous decade to $1.68 billion.

2006: Established the Homelessness Research Institute (HRI) to guide evidence-based solutions through research and data analysis.

2005: Established the Center for Capacity Building to help communities implement systemic solutions through training, technical assistance and strategic guidance.

2001: Released the groundbreaking Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, which became a national model for communities and sparked the widespread adoption of Housing First approaches.

1998–2002: Launched the Work Opportunity Project across 14 states, connecting people experiencing homelessness with employment and training opportunities.

1997: Played a key role in shaping the HUD Homeless Assistance Grant Program, securing a 22% funding increase, a permanent housing set-aside, and ensuring local decision-making included people with lived experience of homelessness.

1994–1999: Partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA to place more than 250 volunteers with providers across the nation to help connect people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing solutions.

1994: Established the AIDS Housing Network to address housing needs for people living with HIV/AIDS, including those who are homeless or formerly homeless.

1992: Launched technical assistance networks to help service and housing providers share knowledge and strengthen their capacity. Initiated the Alliance’s Prevention Project, hosting the first national conferences focused on preventing homelessness.

1990: Created the Leadership Roundtable and Grassroots Network, uniting national leaders and advocates to shape homelessness policy.

1983–1987: Rebranded as the National Alliance to End Homelessness, marking a strategic shift toward addressing root causes. Helped pass the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, establishing the first federal funding for homeless services ($291 million in 1989). Established systems whereby surplus federal buildings and foodstuffs are made available for people experiencing homelessness, launching a national Food Stamp Information Campaign, and creating national councils focused on housing, health care, and public awareness to drive long-term solutions.

1983: Founded as the National Citizens Committee for Food and Shelter, one of the first organizations to address homelessness by meeting emergency needs locally and nationally, and by serving as a key resource for Congress and the public.