July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025
ANNUAL REPORT
The Gift
Building
of Hope
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As we reflect on this past year at Brethren Housing Association, our theme "Building the Gift of Hope" has never felt more meaningful. At BHA, hope is the foundation for building homes, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for lasting stability.
One of the most exciting milestones this year was the growth of our Next Steps (formerly called Permanently Affordable Housing Program). We doubled the number of homes from three to six, a significant step toward ensuring that more families have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for generations to come. These homes symbolize security, dignity, and the promise of a brighter future.
This progress did not come without challenges. We faced funding uncertainties and the reality of rising rent costs, both of which threatened the stability of the families we serve and the sustainability of our programs. Yet, through the unwavering commitment of our staff, our board, our donors, and our community partners, we overcame these obstacles. Together, we found innovative solutions, strengthened partnerships, and reaffirmed our mission to walk alongside families as they work toward independence.
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our vision: to build a community where every family has the resources and support needed to thrive.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your generosity and belief in our mission make it possible to turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into realities.
Pax,
Dennise Hill
BHA Executive Director
FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
This past year tested BHA in ways we haven’t experienced in some time. Yet, thanks to your steadfast support and the strong leadership of our Board and team, we navigated a challenging economic environment and are emerging stronger.
Like many organizations, BHA faced rising costs, staffing shortages, and broader uncertainty. These challenges required difficult decisions, but through disciplined planning and careful stewardship, we stayed focused on our mission — to provide housing and comprehensive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
We took critical steps to strengthen our financial health, rebuild staffing capacity, and stabilize key contracts. We also diversified our revenue, recommitted to donor engagement, and made strategic investments in our long-term resilience. Through it all, our programs remained open. Our dedicated staff continued serving, and our participants found safety, dignity, and hope.
We are encouraged by the road ahead. Fundraising momentum has returned, expenses are aligned with revenue, and community confidence in our mission remains strong, thanks to your generous support.
The Board of Directors takes seriously our responsibility to steward your trust. This year reaffirmed that BHA is sustained not just by dollars, but by a community that believes in the dignity of every person and their right to a safe place to call home.
Thank you for standing with us and for helping us move forward with purpose, as we continue to bring hope to families at BHA.
With Gratitude,
Brent Smith
Board Chair, BHA Board of Directors
Next Steps:
Building Stability That Lasts
Finding safe, affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges for families who have experienced homelessness. To meet this need, BHA launched our Next Steps program in 2021, and we’re excited to share that it’s growing.
Next Steps participants are graduates of BHA’s Transitions program, where families work closely with Family
Advocates to remove housing barriers, build essential life skills, and begin their journey toward long‑term stability. Through Next Steps, BHA provides BHA‑owned rental or rent‑to‑own homes at rates that are always affordable and never exceed 30% of a family’s income. Families also continue to receive case management and supportive services, increasing their likelihood of long‑term housing success. Families can remain in the Next Steps program for up to five years.
During Fiscal Year 2024-2025, BHA received funding from the Dauphin County Department of Human Services to purchase three houses for the Next Steps program. With the addition of these properties, BHA now owns six homes. We are expanding access to stable housing in Dauphin County, strengthening our community, and helping children grow up in safe, consistent environments. Next Steps is a pathway to lasting independence, and we are proud to continue growing this vital program in Harrisburg, PA.
Program Report
Transitions
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. This makes it difficult to provide that to their own children. We are proud to help these parents create safety and stability for their families.
During FY24-25, our adult demographics included the following:
73%
high school diploma or higher at intake
48%
have survived domestic violence
48%
have a mental health history
45%
have a history of incarceration
Participants who obtained housing at program exit: 63%
-
Private Landlord: 6
-
Public Housing: 0
-
Housing Choice Voucher/811 Voucher: 1
-
Rapid Rehousing Program: 2
-
Family Permanently: 1
Participants who obtained or maintained employment at program exit: 75%
In FY22-23, 45% 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.
Former participants
(FY23-24) who maintained housing for one year after exiting the program: 100%
We Assisted
33 Families
33 parents & 66 children
100%
of participants were women
21%
have a history of drug and alcohol abuse
Participants who maintained or increased income at program exit: 81%
-
12 participants increased their income
-
1 participant maintained their income
-
2 participants decreased their income while in the program due to loss of employment or public benefits
-
1 participant had no income coming into the program and no income at discharge
Supportive Services
-
38 Life Skills Classes offered
-
Connected participant to entitlement benefits they were not receiving at entry (cash assistance, SNAP, medical insurance, SSI, childcare assistance, etc.): 100%
-
Connected to community resources for their family stability (i.e. Dress for Success, Diaper Bank, MH counseling, D&A counseling, etc.): 100%
-
Completed a budgeting program while at BHA: 75%
Youth Served
-
Number of youth served in Transitions: 66
-
Number of youth who participated in youth program activities: 52
-
Number of youth program activities/classes offered: 38
Next Steps
BHA launched the Next Steps Program (formerly the Permanently Affordable Housing (PAH) Program) in 2021. This program offers the graduates of our Transitions Program the opportunity to live in safe, affordable homes owned by BHA where rent rates are never more than 30% of participants’ income.
During FY24-25, our adult demographics included the following:
67%
high school diploma or higher at intake
100%
have survived domestic violence
We Assisted
3 Families
3 parents & 9 children
67%
have a mental health history
67%
have a history of incarceration
100%
of participants were women
67%
have a history of drug and alcohol abuse
Participants who maintained housing for at least one year in the Next Steps Program: 100%
Our Impact
During FY24-25, 81 cents of every dollar directly served the families at BHA.
Financials
Individuals and
Small Businesses
Foundations and
Corporations
Member
Churches
Non-Member
Churches
Contracts
(CYS, HUD, etc.)
In-Kind
Contributions
Investment
Income (net)
Special
Events (net)
Program Fees
Miscellaneous
Total Revenue
$120,366
$198,943
$37,317
$8,530
$230,993
$55,337
$14,405
$26,620
REVENUE
$15,471
$21,521
$729,503
Program Services
Supporting Services:
Management and General
Fundraising
Total Expenses
$899,132
$85,152
$85,228
$1,069,512
EXPENSES
Volunteers Power BHA’s Mission
Behind every successful program at BHA is a dedicated group of volunteers giving their time, talents, and hearts to support families on their journey toward stability. Our volunteers are essential partners in our work, strengthening our programs and helping us stretch every dollar to serve more participants.
One of the most visible examples of volunteer impact is our Adopt-An-Apartment program. Volunteers clean, decorate, and furnish apartments so new participants walk into a warm, welcoming home instead of an empty space. These teams transform our apartments into beautiful spaces of dignity and comfort. This ensures the transition into our program smoother and more hopeful for families beginning a new chapter.
Our Youth Program volunteers play a crucial role every Monday night, caring for children while parents attend our Life Skills group. Thanks to these volunteers, parents can focus fully on learning, discussion, and personal growth because they know their children are safe, engaged, and supported.
Volunteers also help keep BHA strong and sustainable over the long term. Workgroups and property volunteers help maintain our apartment units and care for our block. Their hard work improves the quality and safety of the places our families call home by creating a welcoming environment for both our participants and our neighbors.
Behind the scenes, event volunteers bring our community together by helping plan and execute special events throughout the year. From setup to cleanup and everything in between, their energy and creativity make these moments meaningful and successful.
Guiding it all, our Board of Directors provides governance, leadership, and strategic oversight. They ensure that BHA remains mission-focused and financially sound.
During FY24‑25, 165 volunteers donated an incredible 2,155 hours of service. Those hours are valued at an incredible $74,972. Because of this generosity, more of our funding can be used directly to support families in our programs.
To every volunteer who cleaned, watched children, repaired, planned, governed, or gave their time in any way: thank you. Your commitment makes our work possible, and your impact is felt every day by the families we serve.