Our Fathers Houses: A Charleston Nonprofit Helping Families Find Stable Housing

What Our Fathers Houses Does

Our Fathers Houses is a Charleston-based nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness or housing instability move into permanent homes. The organization provides transitional housing, case management, job training, and financial counseling to help people rebuild their lives. Rather than offering temporary shelter alone, Our Fathers Houses works with residents over months to address the root causes of housing loss—job loss, medical crisis, domestic violence, mental health challenges—so they can sustain housing long-term.

The organization operates several residential programs in the Charleston area, each designed for different situations. Some programs serve families with children, others focus on single adults, and some specialize in helping people leaving incarceration or the foster care system. Residents typically stay for 6 to 24 months while working with case managers on employment, budgeting, and other skills needed to live independently.

Key Takeaways

• Our Fathers Houses provides transitional housing combined with case management, job training, and financial counseling for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the Charleston area.
• The organization operates multiple residential programs tailored to different populations, including families with children, single adults, and people transitioning from incarceration or foster care.
• Residents typically stay for 6 to 24 months and work with case managers on employment, budgeting, and life skills to prepare for independent living.
• Referrals come through local social service agencies, shelters, churches, and the court system, though direct contact is also possible.
• The organization charges rent on a sliding scale based on income, meaning residents contribute what they can afford while building financial stability.

How to Make a Referral or Inquire About Programs

If you or someone you know needs housing support, contact Our Fathers Houses directly at their main office in Charleston. You can also reach out through a social service agency, homeless shelter, church, or other community organization—many of these partners work regularly with Our Fathers Houses and can submit a referral on your behalf.

When you contact the organization, be prepared to discuss your housing situation, current income, employment status, and any barriers you face to finding stable housing. Our Fathers Houses staff will listen to your circumstances and determine whether one of their programs is a good fit. If the organization is at capacity, staff can often refer you to other housing resources in the Charleston area.

Residential Programs and Length of Stay

Our Fathers Houses operates housing programs for different populations. Family programs serve households with children and typically provide larger units with space for kids. Adult programs serve single individuals or couples without children. Some programs specifically target people leaving the criminal justice system or aging out of foster care, populations that face particular barriers to finding landlords willing to rent to them.

Most residents stay between 6 and 24 months, though the exact timeline depends on individual progress and program design. During this time, you live in a real home—not a shelter—and work with a case manager on goals like securing employment, rebuilding credit, and managing finances. The length of stay is flexible enough to allow people to move at their own pace while structured enough to keep progress moving forward.

Case Management and Support Services

Living in a house is only part of what Our Fathers Houses offers. Each resident works with a case manager who helps identify barriers to stability and create a plan to address them. This might include job training, help with resume writing, connections to employers, financial counseling, mental health support, or substance abuse treatment referrals. Case managers also help residents navigate benefits, childcare, transportation, and other practical needs.

The organization recognizes that homelessness and housing instability rarely have a single cause. Someone might have lost a job, faced a medical emergency, struggled with addiction, or fled domestic violence. Case management is tailored to each person's situation rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Staff work with residents to build the specific skills and connections they need to stay housed once they leave the program.

Rent and Financial Contributions

Our Fathers Houses charges rent on a sliding scale based on household income. This means residents pay what they can afford, which is typically a percentage of their monthly earnings. Paying rent—even a small amount—serves two purposes: it helps the organization sustain its programs, and it helps residents practice budgeting and financial responsibility in preparation for independent living.

If you have no income when you enter the program, you may pay nothing initially. As you find work through job training or other support, your rent contribution increases proportionally. This structure allows people to move into housing immediately without waiting until they have saved money, while also building the habit of paying housing costs.

Employment and Job Training

Many residents of Our Fathers Houses enter the program without current employment. The organization offers job training, resume help, interview coaching, and connections to local employers. Staff can help you identify skills you already have, explore career paths that match your interests and abilities, and navigate the job search process.

Our Fathers Houses has built relationships with Charleston-area employers who are willing to hire people with housing instability or criminal records in their background. These connections can be crucial for residents who face discrimination in the job market. The organization also helps residents understand their rights when disclosing past incarceration or other barriers to potential employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be homeless right now to get into Our Fathers Houses?

No. The organization serves people experiencing housing instability, which includes those living in shelters, staying with friends or family temporarily, facing eviction, or at risk of losing housing. You do not have to be on the street to reach out. If you are worried about becoming homeless or are in an unstable housing situation, contact the organization to discuss your circumstances.

What if I have a criminal record or am leaving incarceration?

Our Fathers Houses specifically works with people transitioning from the criminal justice system. Having a record will not disqualify you. The organization understands the barriers people face after incarceration and has programs and employer relationships designed to support reentry. Staff can help you navigate disclosure, find employers open to hiring people with records, and rebuild your life in the community.

How do I contact Our Fathers Houses?

You can reach the organization directly by phone or by visiting their office in Charleston. You can also ask a social service agency, shelter, church, or other community partner to make a referral on your behalf. If you are unsure how to reach them, calling 211 (a free helpline that connects people to local resources) can provide current contact information and may help you understand other housing options in your area.

What happens after I leave the program?

Our Fathers Houses prepares residents for independent living throughout their stay. By the time you leave, you should have employment, a budget you have practiced, and connections to ongoing support if needed. Case managers help you plan your transition and connect you to resources like ongoing counseling, support groups, or financial coaching that may help you stay stable after you move out.

Is there a cost to stay at Our Fathers Houses?

Rent is charged on a sliding scale based on your income. If you have no income when you enter, you typically pay nothing initially. As you earn money, your rent contribution increases as a percentage of your income. This approach allows people to move in immediately while building the financial habits needed for independent living.