Family homelessness can have a devastating impact on children. Studies show that 2.5 million children experience homelessness every year. The toxic stress these children face can have long-term effects on their wellbeing and future success, impacting their ability to learn and their physical and mental health. It’s a crisis that is growing: the latest report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development indicates a 16 percent increase in homelessness among families with children from 2022 to 2023.

Family Promise is the leading national organization combating family homelessness. Founded in 1988, Family Promise has empowered local affiliates to serve families through eviction prevention, shelter diversion, shelter stabilization, and housing programs.

In 2019, Clayton and Family Promise established A Future Begins at Home, an innovative prevention program that addresses the underlying causes of family homelessness. Through grants to Family Promise Affiliates, A Future Begins at Home enables families facing housing insecurity to remain in their homes or secure stable housing.

Through A Future Begins at Home, Clayton and other funders supported more than 30,000 families at risk of experiencing homelessness, including more than 47,000 children, through case management, rental assistance, landlord mediation, transportation and childcare support, and other important resources. The program has catalyzed more than $14 million in additional partner funding, generating additional reach and impact. Over 80 percent of families who receive assistance through A Future Begins at Home continue to have stable housing long-term.

In 2024, A Future Begins at Home helped launch prevention programs at 21 new Family Promise Affiliates. One of these Affiliates, Family Promise of Grays Harbor, WA, used the funding to assist a mother who sought help for her family after her husband, recovering from a work injury, faced delayed workers' compensation payments. Although he had returned to work, their income couldn’t cover rent, leading to an eviction notice. With assistance from A Future Begins at Home, most of their overdue rent was paid, and a payment plan with their landlord was arranged. The family cleared the remaining balance on their next payday. Inspired by the support, their landlord visited Family Promise and expressed interest in future partnerships.

In addition to providing grant funding, Clayton has donated 18 Clayton Built® homes to Family Promise. Most are used as transitional housing to provide stability for families leaving shelters and taking steps to secure permanent housing, helping many families for years to come.

Clayton and Family Promise believe that all families deserve stable housing. Our partnership aligns with Clayton’s commitment to be a force for good where we live and work, in part by empowering individuals and families to build a better future.

Learn more about Clayton's social responsibility efforts at claytonhomes.com/social-responsibility