Over Half a Million Dollar Grant Awarded to The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia
William Penn Foundation partnership will keep over 600 families housed over the next three years
For more than a century, The Salvation Army has provided support where it’s needed most. Now, with a $575,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation, the organization will expand its rental assistance efforts in Philadelphia, helping more than 600 families at risk of eviction remain in stable housing over the next three years.
This grant is one of the 11 grants totaling $7.47 million that the William Penn Foundation is awarding to advance its Prevent Homelessness objective, an initiative supporting both immediate interventions, like eviction and foreclosure prevention, and long-term efforts that help families maintain stable housing over time.
Announced during a special event at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center of Philadelphia, the grant underscores a shared commitment to ensuring housing stability for families across the Greater Philadelphia area.
“Housing stability is deeply tied to the well-being and success of Philadelphia families,” said Jennifer Stavrakos, Director of the Children and Families Program at the William Penn Foundation. “Our funding focuses on keeping families in their homes, ensuring every child can thrive from the very beginning.”
This support comes at a critical time for many in the community, as housing costs continue to rise and eviction risks increase. While the grant focuses on rental assistance, The Salvation Army will also provide wrap-around services to families served by these funds, ensuring they remain stably housed and supported on multiple levels.
These additional services may include:
Food and nutrition support
Job readiness and employment resources
Ongoing case management
Emotional and spiritual care
“This type of support helps us serve families directly where they are to meet their most urgent needs,” said Captain Benjamin Lyle, Area Commander for The Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia. “The services we offer in addition to the rental assistance go a long way in ensuring families are holistically set up for success, but it’s a lot easier to receive those services when the rent is paid.”
The announcement brought together leaders from both organizations, including representatives from The Salvation Army’s Philadelphia Social Services Ministries and the William Penn Foundation. Attendees heard firsthand about the challenges families face and how this funding will offer real, immediate relief.
The Salvation Army has been serving Philadelphia since 1879 and this grant reflects more than just funding. It’s a powerful affirmation of the organization’s mission to serve human need without discrimination.
And for hundreds of families, it means the most important thing: a place to call home.
For more information visit www.SAPhilly.org.