Huckleberry House

What Huckleberry House does

Huckleberry House, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization incorporated in Columbus, Ohio and founded in 1970, providing shelter, housing, mental health counseling, and community outreach services to youth ages 12-24 experiencing homelessness, family conflict, housing instability, or mental health challenges in Central Ohio. The organization operates four coordinated core programs: the Teen Crisis Program + Shelter (24/7 crisis shelter for ages 12-17 with walk-in access and hotline (614) 294-5553), the Transitional Living Program (furnished apartments with up to 18-month stays for ages 18-24, plus the Kenmore Square 56-unit property acquired in 2020), The Counseling Center (mental health services for youth ages 12-23 and their families delivered in-office, at schools, homes, libraries, or parks), and the Youth Outreach Program (resource connection via the YOP Shop and community-based outreach in schools and libraries).

The underlying technology stack is human-services-delivery based rather than software-based; services are delivered through owned facilities (main campus at 1421 Hamlet St., a housing office at 1720 Kenmore Rd, the YOP Shop at 2216 Bancroft St., and Marsh Brook Place at 5981 Chatterton Rd.) supplemented by community partnerships including Safe Place fire-department sites. No proprietary software products, applications, APIs, or AI/ML systems are disclosed.

The revenue model is non-commercial: all services are provided free of charge to youth, and funding is assembled from federal grants (Family and Youth Services Bureau under the Administration for Children and Families, Victims of Crime Act funding, and HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program pass-through via the Community Shelter Board), state and local government grants (ADAMH boards, Columbus Public Health), individual and corporate donations (e.g., Colliers International, AEP Ohio), and signature fundraising events (Sleep Out Columbus). The customer base is a diffuse, anonymized population of at-risk youth and families rather than enterprise accounts; key partners include the Community Shelter Board, Shelter Providers Network, National Runaway Safeline, Columbus Foundation, and First Congregational Church. The organization employs 101-250 staff and is led by CEO Jennifer Sharma, who assumed the role on June 23, 2025.

Name

Huckleberry House

Legal name

Huckleberry House, Inc.

Website

https://huckhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Huckleberry House is a Columbus, Ohio nonprofit founded in 1970 that delivers shelter, transitional housing, mental health counseling, and community outreach free of charge to youth ages 12-24 experiencing homelessness, family crisis, or housing instability in Central Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Youth shelter services
• Homeless youth housing
• Transitional living programs
• Youth mental health counseling
• Crisis intervention services

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding from federal grants including Family and Youth Services Bureau (Administration for Children and Families), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) through HUD
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Annual fundraising through events like Sleep Out Columbus, direct donations, and corporate sponsorships from partners like Colliers International and AEP Ohio
3. Community Partnerships: Support from organizations including Community Shelter Board, ADAMH boards, and local foundations such as Columbus Foundation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Huckleberry House is a nonprofit social services organization that provides free shelter, housing, counseling, and outreach to youth ages 12-24 in Central Ohio experiencing homelessness, family crisis, or housing instability. Its four main programs are the Teen Crisis Program + Shelter (ages 12-17), the Transitional Living Program (ages 18-24, up to 18 months of furnished apartment housing), The Counseling Center (mental health services for ages 12-23 and their families), and the Youth Outreach Program (resource connection via the YOP Shop and community outreach).

Product overview

Huckleberry House provides a coordinated suite of four primary social service programs for at-risk and homeless youth in Central Ohio: the Teen Crisis Program + Shelter for ages 12-17, the Transitional Living Program for ages 18-24, The Counseling Center for mental health support, and the Youth Outreach Program for resource connection. The organization also operates a Domestic Violence Housing Program and manages housing properties including Kenmore Square apartments. Services are designed to work together, providing shelter, housing, counseling, and outreach support to help young people navigate challenges and build toward independence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Teen Crisis Program + Shelter A safe, temporary crisis shelter for teens ages 12-17 experiencing crisis or housing instability. Provides immediate safe housing, food, warmth, and safety, and links youth with case aides and therapists to find housing options and build daily living skills. Available 24/7 via walk-in at the Main Campus and the Teen Crisis Program Help Line (614) 294-5553.
• Transitional Living Program (Housing Programs) Housing, case management, and independent living skill building for youth ages 18-24. Offers a furnished apartment for up to 18 months with dedicated counselors and support staff to help clients build toward independence. Includes master-leased Kenmore Square units and coordination with the Community Shelter Board.
• The Counseling Center at Huckleberry House Mental health counseling services for youth ages 12-23 and their families, addressing family conflict, adjustment issues, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma experiences, and issues at school. Services available in-office, at school, home, library, or park. Delivered by clinical staff including licensed independent social workers with supervisory designation.
• Youth Outreach Program (YOP) Connects young people experiencing or at risk for homelessness with resources through the YOP Shop and dedicated outreach in schools, libraries, and throughout the community. Coordinates with Safe Place Network partners including fire departments and businesses for immediate help access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92-86% of youth in Teen Crisis Program transitioned to safe and stable housing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• First Congregational Church, UCC, ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Partnership for annual Sleep Out Columbus event held at church grounds at 444 East Broad Street. Church provides venue and Unsheltered Ministry support, reinforcing long-standing commitment to service and social justice. 2026 event scheduled for May 29.
• Assistance League of Metro ColumbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearly decade-long partnership providing over $26,000 in documented contributions including move-in kits, comforters, sweatpants, and essential household items for young adults transitioning to independent living.
• Columbus FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer Fellowship Program connecting college students with Franklin County nonprofits. Columbus Foundation Fellow joined Huckleberry House Advancement team for 11-week project supporting Safe Place program.
• Colliers InternationalsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for Sleep Out Columbus event. Employee teams participate in annual event. Julie Simono serves on Huckleberry House Board of Directors.
• Community Shelter BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary coordinating body for homelessness services in Columbus/Franklin County. Huckleberry House participates in Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), Transitional Living Program coordination, and Shelter Providers Network coalition.
• Shelter Providers NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of seven agencies including Community Development for All People, Huckleberry House, Lutheran Social Services, Maryhaven, Southeast Healthcare, YMCA of Central Ohio, and YWCA Columbus working together on crisis shelter funding advocacy.
• American Electric Power (AEP Ohio)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy Efficiency team provides ongoing lighting support for 24-hour shelter operations. Employee Rebecca launched holiday lighting project creating annual tradition with 8,900 lights decorating three-story building.
• Safe Place Network PartnerssupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of partner locations including fire departments (Upper Arlington Fire Division, Violet Township Fire Departments), businesses, and community organizations where youth can access immediate help. Summer Fellows conduct yearly check-in calls with partner sites.
• National Runaway SafelinesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner for Youth HOPE Month awareness campaign, working together on prevention and education initiatives around youth homelessness.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Lighthouse Youth & Family Services: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky-based nonprofit providing shelter, residential treatment, and community-based services for at-risk youth and families. Comparable service mix and youth focus, but serves a different Ohio region.

Direct peers

• Covenant House: National nonprofit operating shelter, transitional housing, and wraparound services for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness — directly comparable mission, age band, and service model, but at much larger national scale.
• Star House: Columbus-based drop-in center serving youth and young adults (14-24) experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Operates in the same city and the same age band, with overlapping referral and outreach channels.
• YMCA of Central Ohio: Regional YMCA providing youth development, housing, and crisis services across Central Ohio. Shelter Providers Network member with comparable youth and family programming footprint.
• Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio: Central Ohio affiliate providing shelter, housing, and behavioral health services, including programs serving youth and families. Shelter Providers Network peer with overlapping referral flows.
• Maryhaven: Central Ohio addiction and behavioral health provider serving youth and adults, including residential and community-based programs. Shelter Providers Network partner with overlapping youth and family mental-health services.
• Larkin Street Youth Services: San Francisco-based nonprofit offering shelter, housing, education, and workforce programs for youth ages 12-24 experiencing homelessness. Closely comparable service mix, age band, and outcomes-oriented model.
• National Runaway Safeline: National 24/7 crisis helpline and resource network for runaway and homeless youth. Named partner of Huckleberry House for Youth HOPE Month and a national counterpart in the youth-crisis-response ecosystem.
• Community Development for All People: Franklin County-based nonprofit providing housing, shelter, and supportive services. Co-member of the Shelter Providers Network with Huckleberry House and direct collaborator on crisis-shelter funding advocacy.
• YWCA Columbus: Central Ohio YWCA offering housing and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and youth/family services. Shelter Providers Network co-member with overlapping crisis-response and housing missions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCL2IW-o6qP_HK1eixZAjQiQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/huckleberryhouseinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/huckleberry-house
• Instagraminstagram.com/huckhouse
• Xx.com/huck_house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Huckleberry House