“House of Refuge is a faith-based non-profit organization helping homeless families and individuals in crisis by providing transitional housing and supportive services that assist participants as they strive towards self-sufficiency and seek to obtain permanent housing.”

Did you know that the average age of a homeless person is only 9 years old? Or that women and children make up the fastest growing group of those who are now homeless?

To make matters even worse, close to 20% of Arizona families are living at or below the Federal Poverty Level.  These families are living ‘on the edge financially’ and are often only an illness, accident or missed paycheck away from homelessness.

The current prevalence of financial difficulties in 2009 resulted in 1 in 16 families receiving a foreclosure notice.  The increased number of “newly” homeless is often families.  In fact, the average size of families in shelters and transitional housing is 3.3 individuals. These startling statistics reflect the importance a program like House of Refuge fulfills within our society by helping families address the issues that led to their homelessness and help curtail the cycle of poverty.