
Under the
Same Sky
ANNUAL REPORT
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
What a phenomenal year!
If I had to choose one word to encapsulate this previous fiscal year, it would have to be TRANSITION. Transitions is not just the name of the most robust housing program we offer. It has truly been a word that embodies the headway of the last year. As we know, movement is not always progress. But the trajectory of this organization has absolutely been upward and onward; both for the families we serve as well as those of us who serve them.
We have seen 13 families graduate from the Transitions Program; an additional family added to the Permanently Affordable Housing Program; 65% of all exiting families move to permanent housing solutions; and team members successfully take on new personal and professional endeavors.
Coming into a well-established organization can be a big change for everyone. It has been an honor to be able to walk in and focus on maintaining all that is good and right in BHA. I have benefitted from the vision of the founders, guidance of the Board, and best practices and support of the staff. I can truly say that I was warmly received into the Executive Director role and given encouragement to continue the incredible work of BHA, providing housing and hope to single parent families experiencing homelessness.
The gift of hope changes you. We cannot behave beyond what we believe. Although we serve individuals facing significant barriers, the stability, resources, and audacity to dream beyond current circumstances have led to participants achieving things they didn’t previously feel was possible. That is due in large part to your support.
Without the generous assistance and impactful collaboration of our community, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate 35 illustrious years and look forward to many more.
I am humbled to serve in this capacity and have a vision of memorializing the work that has been done before me and expanding services and our footprint in a way that honors everyone who ever had a part in it.

Thank you for all you have done. Thank you for all you will do. Thank you for being the change you want to see in this world.
Pax,
Dennise Hill
BHA Executive Director

From Our Board Chair
Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year full of promise, I am inspired by the incredible progress we’ve made at Brethren Housing Association, thanks to the dedication of our team and the generosity of supporters like you.
This past year, we’ve expanded our programs, reaching more individuals and families through our transitional and affordable housing initiatives. These achievements are a direct result of your trust and support.
As we look ahead, we are committed to growing responsibly by continuing to strengthen our programs, building partnerships within our community, and ensuring sound financial stewardship. Your contributions — whether through time, prayer, expertise, or donations — are vital in helping us create lasting change and ensure that everyone has a safe, stable home.
We invite you to continue this journey with us. Together, we can achieve even greater heights and transform more lives.

Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in our mission.
With gratitude,
Brent Smith
BHA Board of Directors
President
Permanently Affordable Housing
BHA is creating opportunities for families to live safely in permanent housing they can afford through our Permanently Affordable Housing Program (PAH). This program is for graduates of our transitional housing program, Transitions, who are unable to acquire affordable housing through other housing options in the community due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., rental history, criminal background, credit history).
Our program provides rent or rent-to-own properties that are owned by BHA at an affordable rate. The amount of rent is commensurate to the participant’s income and will never exceed 30%. Participants in PAH work with BHA staff to receive ongoing case management while renting BHA’s property to support them on their continued journey toward independence.

During FY23-24, BHA opened our third permanently affordable house in Uptown Harrisburg. This property, purchased through a grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, was completely gutted and renovated by students at Dauphin County Technical School. We were thrilled to welcome the students and teachers who worked on the project at the ribbon cutting ceremony, as well as the Transitions graduate who moved into the home later that day.

Program Report
BHA’s participants come to us with challenges that threaten the safety and stability of their families. Many participants have extensive histories of trauma, come from families affected by generational poverty and systemic racism, and/or have limited experience living in stable, permanent housing — thus making it difficult to provide that to their own children.
During FY23-24, our participant demographics included the following:
79%
high school diploma or higher at intake
18%
have a history of drug and alcohol abuse
38%
have a history of incarceration
54%
have survived domestic violence
36%
have a mental health history
95%
of participants are women

62% Black
28% White
8% Bi-racial
2% American Indian
Hispanic accounts for 8%
Participants who obtained housing at program exit: 65%
-
Private Landlord: 6
-
Public Housing: 2
-
Housing Choice Voucher/811 voucher: 1
-
Rapid Rehousing Program: 3
Participants who obtained/maintained employment at program exit: 75%
Participants who maintained or increased income at program exit: 75%
-
9 participants increased their income
-
6 participants maintained their income
-
3 participants decreased their income while in the program due to loss of employment or public benefits
-
2 participants had no income coming into the program and no income at discharge
Note: Six participants did not engage in the Transitions Program and left the program prior to three months. These individuals were not counted in the above outcomes.
Former participants (FY22-23) who maintained housing for one year after exiting the program: 100%

Supportive Services
Life Skills Classes offered - 44 classes
Connected participant to entitlement benefits they were not receiving at entry: 100%
i.e. Cash assistance, SNAP, medical insurance, SSI, childcare assistance, etc.
Connected to community resources for their family stability: 100%
i.e. Dress for Success, Diaper Bank, MH counseling, D&A counseling, etc.
Completed a budgeting program while at BHA: 65%
Note: All families that exited the program were counted in this section including the six participants who did not engage in the program.
Employment Achievement
In FY22-23, 45% of participants obtained or maintained employment at program exit.
In FY23-24, 75% of participants obtained or maintained employment at program exit.
BHA started our Job Club on January 10, 2023 and have seen an increase in the number of participants who have found meaningful employment before program exit.
Youth Served in Transitions
81
number of youth served in Transitions
52
number of youth who participated in youth program activities
44
number of youth activities and classes offered
Note: The total number of youth who attended at least one youth program activity is not equal to the number of youth served in the program. Some of the children in the family did not attend because they were older teenagers or were not living full-time on BHA property with the rest of their family.
During FY23-24, BHA held 44 Life Skills classes, up from 28 classes in FY22-23. This increase is directly related to the hiring of our Volunteer Engagement and Youth Coordinator.

Permanently Affordable Housing Program
During FY23-24, our participant demographics included the following:
67%
high school diploma or higher at intake
67%
have a history of drug and alcohol abuse
67%
have a history of incarceration
100%
have survived domestic violence
67%
have a mental health history
100%
of participants are women

33% White
67% Black
Hispanic accounts for 33%
Participants who maintained housing for at least one year in the Permanently Affordable Housing Program: 67%
Note: 1 participant in the Permanently Affordable Housing Program was only in the program for one month during FY23-24 so they have not maintained housing for at least one year after graduating from Transitions.
Financials
Revenue
Individuals and Small
Businesses: $349,296
Foundations and
Corporations: $346,386
Member Churches: $29,951
Non-Member Churches: $7,270
Contracts: $327,071
In-Kind Contributions: $73,152
Investment Income (net): $14,271
Special Events (net): $38,029
Program Fees: $25,817
Miscellaneous: $20,648
Total Revenue: $1,231,891
(Dauphin County Children and Youth, Dauphin County Homeless Assistance Program, AmeriHealth Caritas)
Expenses
Program Services: $930,195
Supporting Services
Management and
General: $78,080
Fundraising: $79,659
Total Expenses: $1,087,934

85 cents of every dollar donated to BHA goes directly into providing our programs.
