Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty, marginal existence, eviction and to support the transitions from homelessness to permanent housing, from joblessness to stable employment, from dependency to self-sufficiency. The IOH programs are designed to help families achieve and maintain permanent housing through economic and emotional stability.

Since opening its door 16 years ago, IOH has served over 200 families in the transitional housing program. IOH has a 60% graduation rate. This figure is in keeping iwth success rates at nationally known transitional housing agencies. Successful graduates of the IOH program are defined as families that stay together as a family, have found jobs earning sufficient income to support their move to indpendent housing, and are committed to keeping their children in school.

Mandatory budgeting and monthly savings are significant in each family's recovery. As their income grows, so does the savings requirement. Typically, families save between $5,000 and $10,000 during their nine to 12 month stay at IOH. With a portion of their savings, families do extensive debt repair. The balance is used to help the family transition to permenant housing.

In the past three years, 13 graduate families have been approved for home loans and have been able to purchase their first home, making the transition from homelessness to home ownership. Many more graduate families have moved into other types of permanent housing after leaving IOH. The sense of self-confidence and self-esteem developed from their time in residence at IOH is critical to each family's long-term success. Families in the IOH program have an abundance of energy, enthusiasm, and confidence in their abilities to recover from the devastating effects of homelessness. They are working hard to stay together as a family and keep their children safe.