USA

Depaul USA was set up in 2008 in Philadelphia USA, with its first project, a hostel for 27 homeless men in the Germantown area of the city, opening in April 2009. 

The need for such a project was identified by the City of Philadelphia when it undertook a review of its services for the homeless and drew up a 10-year strategic plan for tackling homelessness.  Although it had a program of emergency shelters and short term accommodation, these facilities were silting up because of a lack of move-on and resettlement accommodation being made available.  Depaul's innovative model for engaging with homeless people who are ready to make that first move towards more independent living provides the stepping stone towards achieving that goal.  It was one of the reasons Depaul was invited to set up the Depaul House hostel, and show how it could make a difference.

The success of the program at Depaul House has led to developments in other cities since 2011.  We now have a transportation project linking homeless people to the services they need in New Orleans, and a day/resource centre in Macon, Georgia, with a number of other programs in Chicago, St Louis and Niagara in the pipeline.