Homeless Empowerment Program

What Homeless Empowerment Program does

Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1986 in Clearwater, Florida, operating one of the largest and most comprehensive homeless service programs in the state. From an 8-acre campus, HEP delivers a vertically integrated continuum of care spanning emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing (Baty Villas, Fairburn Apartments, HEP West Apartments, Bruce E. Fyfe Memorial Veterans Community), basic needs (food, clothing), an on-site Dental & Wellness Clinic, mental and physical health assessments, workforce development, benefits assistance, and a child-care-supported family program. In 2024 the organization served 848 residents, including 182 children and 343 veterans, with 83% of families exiting emergency housing into permanent housing.

HEP generates revenue almost entirely through charitable contributions rather than client fees: individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, employer matching gifts, planned giving and endowments, an annual Otis Green & Bruce Fyfe Memorial Golf Tournament (over $90,000 raised in the most recent year for veteran programs), a Renewing Hope on the Runway fashion show, and a 13,000-square-foot thrift store whose proceeds flow to the operating fund. Operations are supported by an estimated 51–100 staff and a volunteer base delivering service hours valued above $950,000 annually, with strategic partners including the Veterans Administration, Morton Plant Mease, Baycare Health Systems, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding Florida, United Way Suncoast, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Lockheed Martin, Publix Supermarket Charities, Tampa Bay Rays, and the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County.

HEP does not operate a proprietary technology platform or AI systems; its digital footprint consists of a WordPress website, social media accounts, and standard encrypted donor/client databases backed by PCI-compliant third-party payment processors. Governance is a nonprofit board led by Chairperson Nancy Ramey (since 2025), with Ashley Lowery serving as President & CEO since 2017 after rising from an entry-level marketing role, and founder Barb Green continuing involvement in the development function after stepping down as CEO in 2013. The organization has held a 4-star Charity Navigator rating for 12 consecutive years, placing it among approximately 2% of U.S. charities at that tier.

Name

Homeless Empowerment Program

Legal name

Homeless Emergency Project (d.b.a. Homeless Empowerment Program)

Website

https://hepempowers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that runs an 8-acre campus in Clearwater, Florida, providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, dental and medical care, workforce development, and veterans services to roughly 850 homeless individuals, families, and veterans annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (62421), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Emergency housing programs
• Workforce development training
• Veteran supportive housing
• Community dental clinic

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: HEP relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Monetary gifts support operational expenses, program services, and capital improvements. The organization has sustained a 4-star Charity Navigator rating for over 12 consecutive years, indicating strong donor trust and financial stewardship.
2. Thrift Store Proceeds: The 13,000 square foot thrift store at 1212 North Betty Lane sells donated items with all proceeds going directly to HEP's operating fund. The store also accepts furniture donations with free pickup services.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Events: Annual fundraising events including the Otis Green & Bruce Fyfe Memorial Golf Tournament and Renewing Hope on the Runway Fashion Show generate significant contributions. Last year's golf tournament raised over $90,000 for veteran programs.
4. Matching Gift Programs: HEP maximizes donations through employer matching gift programs where available, potentially doubling or tripling individual contributions.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Accepts charitable gift annuities, trusts, IRA qualified charitable distributions (up to $105,000 annually for donors 70½ and older), gifts of life insurance, real estate, and bequests. The Bruce E. Fyfe Endowment Fund receives matched donations up to $250,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HEP provides a continuum of homeless and supportive services on an 8-acre Clearwater, Florida campus, including emergency and transitional shelter, permanent supportive housing, meals, clothing, on-site dental and wellness care, mental health services, workforce development, and veteran-specific housing programs. All services are delivered free of charge to homeless and low-income individuals, families, and veterans, funded entirely through donations, grants, fundraising events, and thrift store proceeds.

Product overview

The Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization offering comprehensive shelter and supportive services from an 8-acre campus in Clearwater, Florida. Founded in 1986, HEP provides a continuum of care including Basic Needs Services (shelter, food, clothing), Mental and Physical Health Services with its on-site Dental & Wellness Clinic, Community Resources access, Self-Sufficiency Programs, and dedicated housing for veterans (Fairburn Apartments, HEP West Apartments, Bruce E. Fyfe Memorial Veterans Community) and families (Baty Villas). Additional programs include the North Greenwood Adult Education and Workforce Development Center, HEP Urban Empowerment Garden with Mobile Market, and the HEP Thrift Store. The organization serves approximately 848 residents annually including 182 children and 343 veterans, with an 83% success rate of families securing permanent housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homeless Empowerment Program Services (Emergency Shelter) Comprehensive homeless shelter and social services including emergency and transitional housing, food, clothing, and support services for individuals, families, and veterans on an 8-acre campus in Clearwater, Florida.
• Basic Needs Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% of families exiting Emergency Housing in 2024 moved to permanent housing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Morton Plant Mease HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Morton Plant Outreach Team (MPOT) providing on-site medical and mental health assessments. Contributed over $5.6 million in community savings through the HEP Wellness Program.
• Baycare Health SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with HEP through the Dental & Wellness Clinic for medical and mental health assessments and healthcare delivery services.
• Feeding Tampa BaymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional food bank partner supporting HEP's food services and the Urban Empowerment Garden's Mobile Market initiative.
• Feeding FloridamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide food bank network partner with Fresh Access Bucks program supporting the Mobile Market's SNAP acceptance.
• Veterans AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner working hand-in-hand with HEP to provide specialized care for nearly one-third of HEP's veteran population. Provides access to veteran-specific programs and housing assistance.
• Junior Welfare Board (JWB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing childcare services for families with children at HEP, supporting children's educational success.
• Pinellas County Schools Board (PCSB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership ensuring children at HEP have access to before and after-school activities, maintaining good grades and school attendance.
• AmeriCorpsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service program providing volunteers and support for HEP programs and services.
• Tampa Bay RaysmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor League Baseball team partner supporting HEP through community events and fundraising initiatives.
• City of ClearwatermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner providing support and resources for HEP's homeless services in Clearwater.
• Pinellas CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner supporting HEP's programs and services for Pinellas County residents.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: National network providing emergency shelter, food, housing, refugee, and family services through diocesan agencies. Overlaps with HEP on emergency housing and supportive services for vulnerable populations, but with a much larger geographic and program footprint.
• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development, job training, and thrift-retail programs. Comparable to HEP on workforce development services and thrift-store revenue model, though Goodwill's mission is employment-focused rather than housing-focused.
• Salvation Army: National faith-based nonprofit operating emergency shelters, transitional housing, food service, and social-service programs across the U.S. Comparable in providing multi-service homeless assistance at scale, though operating nationally with a broader scope than HEP's single-campus model.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit providing affordable housing, veteran services, behavioral health, and community services. Closely comparable to HEP on veteran housing (HUD-VASH operator), emergency shelter, and supportive housing programming.

Regional players

• Tampa Crossroads: Tampa, FL-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and behavioral health services to homeless and at-risk populations in Hillsborough County. Local peer with overlapping client populations and referral pipelines.
• Miami Rescue Mission: Florida-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, and recovery programs to homeless and addicted individuals in South Florida. Comparable comprehensive shelter and food services model in the same state.
• Pinellas Hope: Pinellas County-based homeless shelter and outreach program operated by Catholic Charities. Local peer serving the same county as HEP with overlapping emergency shelter and case management services.

Others

• Feeding Tampa Bay: Regional food bank and HEP's strategic partner. Not a direct competitor — HEP receives food and partner-supports Feeding Tampa Bay's distribution — but comparable on the food-insecurity mission and overlapping donor/funder ecosystem.
• United Way Suncoast: Regional United Way affiliate and HEP's funding partner for the North Greenwood Workforce Development Center. Thematically aligned nonprofit addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and workforce development across the Tampa Bay region.

Direct peers

• Metropolitan Ministries: Tampa, FL-based nonprofit offering comprehensive shelter, food, and social services to homeless and at-risk families in the Tampa Bay area. Direct regional peer with a similar integrated services model and overlapping donor/corporate partner base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hep_empowers
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomelessEmpowermentProgram
• Instagraminstagram.com/hep_empowers

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Homeless Empowerment Program