40 Years of Home
Hamilton Families was founded in 1985 to address the growing crisis of family homelessness in San Francisco. Starting as a small volunteer-led emergency family shelter at Hamilton United Methodist Church in the Haight, we provided essential services to families in crisis, offering a safe place to stay and the resources needed to rebuild their lives. Over the years, our organization expanded its programs to include permanent housing solutions, recognizing that stability is the foundation for breaking the cycle of homelessness. By developing innovative approaches such as Rapid Re-Housing and creating partnerships with landlords, we became a leader in providing effective and sustainable solutions for unhoused families in the Bay Area.
As the landscape of homelessness has evolved, so has Hamilton Families. We have consistently adapted to meet the complex needs of families, particularly those from marginalized communities disproportionately affected by poverty and housing instability. From launching the Hamilton Housing Services department to collaboratively launching one of the country’s first Guaranteed Basic Income programs for families, we have remained steadfast in our mission to not only provide housing but also create opportunities for long-term success. Today, Hamilton Families is a trusted partner in the fight against homelessness, serving over 500 families with children each year with compassion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to help families break the cycle of poverty.
40th Anniversary Campaign
As we commemorate 40 years of dedicated service to families experiencing homelessness, Hamilton Families is launching a $10 million campaign in 2025 to expand our impact and secure our future. By investing in housing stability, economic mobility, and child-centered services, we aim to break cycles of generational poverty and create lasting change for the families we serve. These critical funds will be used to:
Strengthen Our Workforce
A key focus will be on enhancing our staffing capacity to meet the growing demand. These funds will allow us to recruit, train, and retain top-tier talent who bring expertise, compassion, and innovation to our work. Investments in ongoing professional development will equip our team with advanced tools and strategies for addressing the complex needs of families, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.
Increase Staff-to-Family Ratios
By increasing staff-to-family ratios, we can provide more individualized support, ensuring that each family receives tailored guidance and resources to achieve long-term stability. This investment in our people ensures that Hamilton Families remains at the forefront of solving family homelessness.
Secure Our Home
The purchase of our new building at 2567 Mission Street in the Mission District marks a transformative step in our ability to serve more families more effectively. A portion of the funds raised will go towards paying down the loan on our new home solidifying our permanence in the community. It will also significantly reduce operational costs, allowing us to allocate more resources directly to families.
Join Us in Making History
We invite you to be a part of this historic campaign. Together, we can honor our 40-year legacy while building a future where no family and no child must face the trauma of homelessness. Your support ensures that Hamilton Families can continue to lead the charge in ending family homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area. There are many ways to make an impact:
Major Gifts
Foundation Grants
Corporate Sponsorships
Legacy Giving
Monthly Giving
For any questions, to learn more about Hamilton Families’ 40th Anniversary Campaign, or to schedule a tour of Hamilton Families’ new headquarters in the Mission, please reach out to Christina Alton, Chief Development Officer at calton@hamiltonfamilies.org or 415-520-8081.