Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH) began as a partnership of four Green Bay area churches and The Salvation Army, all seeking an ecumenical response to homelessness in our community.  Our partnership has grown to include 20 Green Bay area churches.  In 2019, EPH served 138 families, consisting of 40 transitional housing families, 16 long-term supportive housing families and 82 families through our Prevention Program.

Our mission is providing safety, stability, and solutions leading to self-sufficiency for at risk and homeless families in our community.

EPH doesn’t just manage the problem of homelessness;
We work to solve it.

We introduce families to a “new normal” by providing them with stable and secure housing. EPH currently owns 20 homes used for transitional housing. We are the next step for families in area family shelters. They are referred to us by the Salvation Army, who acts as case manager.

EPH offers three strategic areas of focus:

• Transitional Housing
• Long-term Supportive Housing
• Prevention

Transitional Housing

Families spend an average of 13 months in one of our transitional homes, at no cost, while they work toward self-sufficiency with the guidance of their case manager. Helpful programs include mentorship, education support and budget counseling.

Long-term Supportive Housing

Families who are ready to leave shelter or transitional housing often have a difficult time finding safe and affordable housing.  Barriers to safe and affordable housing include earning less than an affordable living wage, landlords screening to exclude families based on credit history, not accepting housing choice vouchers and increasing rents in conjunction with a limited supply.  EPH includes Long-term Supportive Housing as an option for these families. It is one more step on the path to true self-sufficiency. A family’s rent starts commensurate with their income, with rent increasing as income increases.  Case management includes coaching to improve employment and/or employability.

Prevention

Prevention is the latest initiative, approved by the Board of Directors in January 2018. We believe now is the time to “move upstream in the process” and work with local landlords to prevent family homelessness. We will leverage our experience with transitional and long-term supportive housing programs to achieve a reduction in homelessness through prevention.