House of Refuge

What House of Refuge does

House of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Mesa, Arizona that provides transitional housing and wrap-around supportive services to families experiencing homelessness. Founded in 1996 on a 20-acre campus originally redeveloped from the decommissioned Williams Air Force Base, the organization operates 88 two-bedroom homes that families rent at $400 per month inclusive of utilities, signing leases and meeting case-management-driven program requirements.

The service model centers on residency paired with individualized case management, an on-site Employment & Education Center, a Community Center for school-aged children, a Teen Center for adolescents, and a State Certified Food Bank / Helping Hands House Donation Center. Residents must meet eligibility requirements including verifiable income (currently $1,170/month minimum, effective 2025), background screening, and custody of minor children or third-trimester pregnancy, and agree to gain or sustain employment within 45 days of move-in. Documented outcomes include an 88-89% graduation rate to stable housing and 88-90% employment at exit, with 160 families (514 individuals) and 78,828 bed nights served in the most recent reported year.

The funding and go-to-market model is donation-led and community-driven. Revenue streams include individual giving (one-time and recurring), the Heroes Giving Society ($1,000-$50,000+ annual tiers), Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization tax-credit donations, corporate and foundation grants, vehicle donations via CARS, gift-in-kind logistics via ReSupply, planned giving, and the Adopt a Home sponsorship program. Distribution runs through the on-site campus, a physical donation center in Mesa, online and mail donation portals, chamber memberships across five Phoenix-metro cities, and an annual gala. There is no technology platform underpinning the model — delivery is human-staff-intensive, and the underlying "infrastructure" is the 20-acre neighborhood campus itself.

Name

House of Refuge

Legal name

House of Refuge Inc.

Website

https://houseofrefuge.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

House of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Mesa, Arizona operating 88 two-bedroom homes on a 20-acre campus, providing transitional housing and wrap-around supportive services to families experiencing homelessness since 1996.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transitional Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Transitional housing
• Homeless family services
• Case management services
• Food bank
• Supportive social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mesa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: House of Refuge relies primarily on donations from individuals. Donors can give one-time or recurring monthly donations, with special giving tiers through the Heroes Giving Society ($1,000-$50,000+ annually).
2. Arizona Tax Credit Donations: House of Refuge is a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO #20170). Donors receive dollar-for-dollar Arizona state income tax credits up to $495 for individuals and $987 for couples filing jointly (2025 tax year).
3. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program through partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), turning donated vehicles into cash for the organization.
4. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Corporate sponsors and foundations provide grant funding. Examples include Thunderbirds Charities ($20,000 and $15,000 grants), Donald C. Brace Foundation, and Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust grants.
5. Adopt a Home Program: Corporate partners and individuals can adopt a home to provide necessary funding to support a family for an entire year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

House of Refuge is a nonprofit that provides transitional housing to families experiencing homelessness through 88 two-bedroom homes on a 20-acre campus in Mesa, Arizona. It pairs housing with wrap-around supportive services including case management, employment and education support, youth programming, food assistance, and a donation center.

Product overview

House of Refuge operates as a single integrated nonprofit service organization rather than a technology product platform. Its core offering is a transitional housing program comprising 88 two-bedroom homes providing homeless families with housing, furnishings, and wrap-around supportive services. The organization delivers its mission through interconnected programs including Case Management Services, an Employment & Education Center, Community Center for children, Teen Center, a State Certified Food Bank, and a Helping Hands House Donation Center. Revenue generation and donor engagement programs include the Adopt a Home Program, Heroes Giving Society (with tiered donor recognition), AZ Tax Credit Program, Vehicle Donation Program, Legacy/Strategic Giving options, and Volunteer Programs with various engagement opportunities. The product portfolio centers on the transitional housing program as the primary service, supported by case management, educational/employment services, youth programming, food assistance, and donation/logistics infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• House of Refuge Heroes: A giving society recognizing donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually to support families overcoming homelessness.
• Adopt a Home Program
• Helping Hands House Donation Center

Products and services

• Transitional Housing Program Transitional housing providing 88 two-bedroom homes for families experiencing homelessness, with residents signing leases and paying $400/month including utilities.
• Case Management Services Individualized case management with professional case managers developing personalized plans addressing barriers, employment goals, educational objectives, life skills, childcare, and housing stability.
• Employment & Education Center (EEC) On-site multi-purpose center offering computer lab, internet access, resume assistance, job application support, career fairs, financial literacy classes, and educational advancement opportunities for residents.
• Community Center After-school programming for school-aged children (5-11) including tutoring, arts and crafts, pet therapy, and STEM-based projects, with structured summer activities.
• Teen Center Dedicated safe space for teen residents (12-17) offering programming for academic success, mental health support, substance abuse prevention, healthy habits, life-skills development, and community resources.
• State Certified Food Bank Arizona state-certified food bank distributing food directly to families in need without requiring identification, financials, or appointments.
• Helping Hands House Donation Center Donation center providing families with clothing, furniture, food, and household items at no cost upon move-in. Residents can shop the center and keep items when they leave the program.
• Adopt a Home Program Donation program allowing donors to provide funding for a family for an entire year, covering two-bedroom housing, utilities, community access, and wrap-around supportive services.
• Heroes Giving Society Giving society for donors contributing $1,000+ annually, with tiers (Advocate $1,000-4,999, Champion $5,000-14,999, Guardian $15,000-49,999, Visionary $50,000+) offering increasing recognition and engagement benefits.
• AZ Tax Credit Program Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO # 20170) enabling dollar-for-dollar state tax credits for donors. 2025 limits: individuals up to $495, couples up to $987.
• Vehicle Donation Program Vehicle donation partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) accepting cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and other vehicles to generate funding for operations.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities including Community Center support, Donation Center assistance, Ambassador roles, Employment & Education Center tutoring, Outreach activities, and Scout projects.
• Legacy/Strategic Giving Planned giving options including Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, appreciated stock donations, life insurance gifts, real estate gifts, and bequests through wills or trusts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88-89% of participating families graduate to stable housing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.

• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHouse of Refuge partnered with CARS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has returned more than $450+ million to nonprofit partners. CARS picks up donated vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, etc.) and turns them into cash for House of Refuge. The service is fee-based for donors but provides an easy donation process.
• ReSupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHouse of Refuge works with ReSupply, a veteran-owned and operated business that picks up gently used furniture, clothing, and household goods and delivers them to nonprofits. For a fee paid by donors, ReSupply provides home donation pickups.
• MyRegistry.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHouse of Refuge maintains a registry on MyRegistry.com where supporters can purchase essential items that ship directly to the House of Refuge Donation Center.
• Fry's Food StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFry's Community Rewards program allows shoppers to designate House of Refuge as their charity of choice, with a portion of sales supporting the organization.
• Chamber of Commerce PartnershipsmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerHouse of Refuge is a proud member of PHX East Valley, Chandler Chamber, Gilbert Chamber, Mesa Chamber, Queen Creek Chamber, Arizona Housing Coalition, and Impact 4 Good.
• Santan Charter SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of House of Refuge, with students actively participating in food drives for families at the organization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• A New Leaf: Metro Phoenix nonprofit providing housing, behavioral health, and family services. Comparable in family homelessness interventions and wrap-around case management, but with a broader behavioral health orientation.
• Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona: Central Arizona affiliate of Habitat for Humanity providing affordable homeownership pathways. Adjacent in affordable housing delivery but focused on ownership pathway rather than transitional rental housing.
• HomeAid Phoenix: Phoenix chapter of national HomeAid nonprofit focused on building housing for the homeless through homebuilder partnerships. Listed as a House of Refuge partner; comparable mission focus on housing the homeless but focused on capacity-building rather than direct service delivery.

Direct peers

• UMOM New Day Centers: Phoenix-based nonprofit operating the largest family homelessness shelter and transitional housing program in Arizona. Directly comparable to House of Refuge in target population (homeless families), service model (transitional housing + wrap-around services), and geographic market (Maricopa County).
• Family Promise: National nonprofit network addressing family homelessness through transitional housing programs and prevention services. Directly comparable operating model with wrap-around services and a similar focus on families with children.
• Maggie's Place: Phoenix-based nonprofit providing housing and wrap-around services to pregnant women and young families experiencing homelessness. Comparable in target population, geographic market, and residential service model.

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities Community Services Arizona: Arizona chapter of national Catholic Charities network providing housing assistance, refugee services, and family support in Phoenix. Comparable in transitional housing and homeless services delivery model for families.
• Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC): Large Arizona-based nonprofit providing housing, economic development, and social services across the Phoenix metro. Comparable in family homelessness services but operates a much broader portfolio across housing, education, and workforce development.
• St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix: Major Phoenix-area social services nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and food assistance. Comparable in shelter/housing and food distribution, but operates a wider portfolio of services beyond family homelessness.

Regional players

• Andre House of Arizona: Phoenix-area nonprofit providing emergency services to people experiencing homelessness including meals, showers, and case management. Comparable in serving the homeless population in Maricopa County but focused on day services rather than residential transitional housing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HouseofRefugeAZ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HouseOfRefugeMesa
• Facebookfacebook.com/HouseofRefugeInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/house-of-refuge
• Instagraminstagram.com/houseofrefugeaz

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 House of Refuge