Front Steps

What Front Steps does

Front Steps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 4507 North Interstate 35, Austin, Texas, that provides homelessness prevention and rehousing services across Travis County and parts of Williamson County. Founded in 1997 as the Capital Area Homeless Alliance, the organization operates four core programs: the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) rapid rehousing program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the First Steps Housing Stability Program, which provides one-time financial assistance for rent, utilities, security deposits, and pet fees to prevent displacement; and Front Steps Homes, a 19-acre community development with up to 120 micro homes, on-site wellness and medical services, and wraparound case management, with approximately 80% of units reserved for veterans. Case management is the foundational service layer across all programs, delivered by an in-house team of housing case managers, program support specialists, and a healthcare navigator.

Front Steps reaches clients through three primary channels: direct inquiries at its corporate office, online application portals (including a dedicated Veterans Services portal), and a coordinated assessment referral network comprising Sunrise Navigation Center, Downtown Austin Community Court, First Baptist Church, Salvation Army, and Caritas of Austin. The organization serves three core beneficiary segments: veterans experiencing homelessness or imminent risk, individuals and families at imminent risk of housing loss, and chronically homeless individuals with disabilities and complex needs.

The organization generates revenue through three streams: federal grants (VA SSVF and HUD), charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and proceeds from fundraising events such as the Elevation Gala, the Front Steps Open golf tournament, and Miles for Mission. Services are provided at no cost to eligible clients, and the organization does not charge for any program. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, although 990 forms and audited financial statements are available on its website. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Sheila A. Joseph.

Name

Front Steps

Legal name

Front Steps

Website

https://frontsteps.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Front Steps is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Austin, Texas providing homelessness prevention and rehousing services, including the VA-funded SSVF program, HUD-funded Permanent Supportive Housing, the First Steps Housing Stability Program, and the 19-acre Front Steps Homes micro-home community serving veterans, at-risk families, and chronically homeless individuals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Homeless services support
• Housing assistance programs
• Veteran housing services
• Nonprofit case management
• Homeless prevention program

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Contracts: Front Steps receives funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) program and from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing programs.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations support operational costs and program expansion. The organization hosts fundraising events including an annual Elevation Gala and The Front Steps Open golf tournament.
3. Donated Funds Management: Financial support helping clients access housing, with $292,365.00 in contributions referenced for client assistance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Front Steps is a nonprofit organization that provides homelessness prevention and housing services in Austin, Texas. Its core offerings include the SSVF veteran rapid rehousing program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the HUD-funded Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program, the First Steps Housing Stability Program offering one-time financial assistance for rent, utilities, and security deposits, and Front Steps Homes, a 19-acre community development featuring up to 120 micro homes. Case management services span all programs, providing personalized support to clients transitioning from homelessness to stable housing.

Product overview

Front Steps is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing homelessness prevention and housing services in Austin, Texas. The organization operates a portfolio of housing programs including SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) for rapid rehousing of veterans, PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) for long-term disabled individuals, the First Steps Housing Stability Program for homeless prevention, and Front Steps Homes, a 19-acre micro-home community development. Case Management Services serves as the foundational support mechanism across all programs, providing personalized guidance to help clients transition from homelessness to stable housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• First Steps – Housing Stability Program: A housing stability program providing one-time financial assistance to help individuals and families stay in their homes and avoid homelessness.
• Front Steps Homes
• First Steps – Housing Displacement Prevention Program
• First Steps – Housing Placement Program

Products and services

• SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) Rapid rehousing program funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that provides short-term financial assistance and intensive case management to very low-income veteran families to obtain stable permanent housing. Designed for veterans experiencing literal homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness, including those with criminal records, evictions, or substance abuse history who face landlord approval challenges.
• PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) Long-term housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) providing leasing or rental assistance combined with supportive services to assist households with at least one member with a disability in achieving housing stability. Serves chronically homeless individuals with complex needs.
• First Steps Housing Stability Program Homeless prevention initiative providing one-time yearly financial assistance to help individuals and families in the Austin Metro Area stay in their homes, covering past-due rent, security deposits, utilities, pet fees, and other housing-related costs. Includes the Housing Displacement Prevention Program and the Housing Placement Program for those already unhoused.
• Front Steps Homes 19-acre community development featuring up to 120 micro homes with an on-site Resource and Wellness Center, community spaces, and wraparound support services; approximately 80% of residents will be veterans. Focused on rapidly rehousing chronically and temporarily homeless individuals.
• Case Management Services Comprehensive case management program providing personalized support to clients moving from homelessness to stable housing, including goal-setting, resource connection, and ongoing guidance. Serves as the foundational support mechanism across all Front Steps housing programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 357 Households Assisted, 518 Individuals Served as of 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA provides funding for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which provides short-term rapid rehousing assistance with intensive case management to very low-income veteran families.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUD program funding supports Front Steps' housing programs including supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals.
• Sunrise Navigation CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocated at 4430 Menchaca Road, Austin. Primary coordinated assessment site open Monday-Friday 9am-1pm. Provides housing assessments, mail services, document storage, mental health consultations, ID help, hygiene supplies, showers, bus passes, MAP signups, and free medical clinic.
• Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinated assessment site at 505 Barton Springs Road, First floor. Open Wednesday 12-4pm.
• First Baptist Church AustinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinated assessment site at 901 Trinity St, Austin. Open Monday-Friday by appointment only.
• Salvation Army AustincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinated assessment partner at 501 E 8th Street, Austin TX 78701. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am-4pm, Tuesday 9am-11am/2pm-4pm.
• Caritas of AustincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinated assessment partner accessible by phone at (512) 472-4135. Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm, Tuesday 8am-6pm, Friday 8am-10am.
• Local Nonprofit PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with local organizations providing physical and mental health care, legal assistance, and job placement services to complement Front Steps' housing services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caritas of Austin: Direct peer providing integrated social services in Austin including housing assistance, case management, and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. Operates as a coordinated assessment partner alongside Front Steps, serving overlapping client populations.
• Foundation Communities: Austin-headquartered nonprofit providing affordable housing, supportive services, and education programs to low-income families and individuals. Comparable in mission and geographic focus, with similar mix of housing development and wraparound services.
• Green Doors: Austin nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Overlapping service model with Front Steps PSH and case management programs in the same Austin Metro service area.
• Mobile Loaves & Fishes (Community First! Village): Austin-based nonprofit operating Community First! Village, a master-planned community providing affordable housing for people coming out of chronic homelessness. Directly comparable to Front Steps' 19-acre micro-home community development, with a similar capital-intensive supportive housing model.
• Family Eldercare: Austin-based nonprofit offering housing, financial assistance, and support services for low-income seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. Comparable aging-in-place and housing stability focus that overlaps with Front Steps PSH mission.
• Salvation Army Austin: Direct peer offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and homelessness prevention services in Austin. Functions as a coordinated assessment partner that channels clients to Front Steps, while also delivering overlapping direct services.

Broad incumbents

• Austin Travis County Integral Care: Local governmental authority providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services in Travis County. Comparable through its supportive housing programs for individuals with behavioral health needs, serving clients that overlap with Front Steps PSH population.

Others

• US Department of Veterans Affairs (SSVF Program): Federal funder of the SSVF program that Front Steps operates; comparable as a national framework for veteran housing services. Included as ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor since VA funds rather than operates Front Steps' program.

Emerging players

• Hope House: Austin-area nonprofit providing transitional housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Smaller-scale direct peer with overlapping case management and rehousing services.

Regional players

• Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO): Austin/Travis County lead agency for HUD Continuum of Care funding, coordinating regional homelessness response. Front Steps participates in ECHO's coordinated assessment system, making ECHO a strategic ecosystem peer rather than a direct service competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/frontsteps
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrontSteps
• Instagraminstagram.com/frontstepsaustin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/491023

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Front Steps