Frequently Asked Questions

We are following the lead of our national organization, which changed its name from Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise 16 years ago. Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) will remain the name of our congregational shelter program. 

In addition to its IHN, FP Philly offers homelessness prevention, shelter diversion, and programs that address obstacles caused by poverty. 

By changing our name, we join more than 200 affiliates nationwide who are proud to identify Family Promise in their names. 

We believe that the words “Family” and “Promise” embody two core concepts: 

1. The promise we make to families  

2. The promise each family has - their potential  

Interfaith collaboration amongst our congregations remains core to our identity. Together, our interfaith network engages people of faith following in our shared values of providing hospitality to our neighbors in the Abrahamic tradition of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 

We strive to end family homelessness through prevention, direct aid, direct services, and advocacy. We do this by: 

1. Providing safe emergency housing, food, and other direct aid for displaced families. 

2. Helping families stabilize and recover from displacement to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency.  

3. Preventing evictions by providing financial and material aid, as well as mediating conflicts between tenants and landlords. 

4. Advocating for public policies that increase access to affordable housing access and an end to intergenerational poverty underlying homelessness. 

We may be able to: 

• Help prevent a pending eviction. 

• Help you find, pay for, and move into a new place to live. 

• Provide you with food, clothing, diapers, childcare supplies, and furniture. 

• Connect you to no-cost counseling.

Once you complete our intake form, we strive to contact you within one week. Depending on your circumstances and the documentation you can provide, you may receive goods or services within a few days of speaking with us. 

Yes, we have provided emergency shelter for more than 25 years. Prior to the pandemic, our network of faith communities took turns housing our “guest families.” Currently, we are instead sheltering each of our guest families in individual places of worship, apartments, and houses. 

The information that you provide will be confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside of our organization. 

Keys to Good Tenancy is an eight-week tenant education course. Families who have past evictions or poor credit scores gain an opportunity for decent rental housing. 

The program provides the knowledge and skills to be good tenants who understand their rights and responsibilities. Once the program is completed, a certificate is awarded that the tenant can then present to prospective landlords. 

To expedite the process, please gather the following required documents: lease, rental license, certificate of suitability, income verification (paystubs, COMPASS report, SSI letter or SSD letter), three months of bank statements, a monthly budget sheet; copies of utility bills.

Yes. Please visit our Resources page.