Bridging Possibilities Strategic Plan

2026-2029 Strategic Plan

1) HOUSING SOLUTIONS

Families are increasingly being priced out of stable housing, even when they are working full‑time. In many communities, landlords now require renters to earn three times the monthly rent, meaning a modest $1,500 apartment demands $54,000 a year – well beyond the reach of many families facing homelessness. With housing costs rising faster than wages, parents are left with fewer options and greater risk. This initiative will expand access to affordable housing and provide the income‑building support families need to secure a place to live, ensuring they can move into and maintain stable housing. 

We will:  

• Develop increased affordable housing solutions to ensure families move into housing within 60 days. 
• 20+% expansion of multi-prong housing solutions (landlord partners, risk mitigation, master- leasing, lease guarantors, landlord incentives, property ownership). 
• Build two more affordable housing units in Lancaster on property already owned, pending township approval. 
• Increase workforce development and career planning, for 80+% of families to increase income while in Bridge of Hope, to sustain housing costs. 

2) FAITH AND ACTION

Isolation intensifies the impact of homelessness, leaving families to navigate crisis without community or support. At the same time, churches desire to live out their faith but often lack practical avenues for building genuine relationships with families facing homelessness. Bridge of Hope is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by activating Neighboring relationships that transform isolation into belonging and compassion into action.    

We will: 

• Decrease days to launch Neighboring Volunteers to under 60 days.  
• Launch Neighboring Campaign with national media and recruitment toolkit for engaging more churches. 
• Promote connection and community in a culture of isolation by deepening the call to action for Christian faith communities to live out our faith by loving our neighbors facing homelessness.  
• Celebrate Neighboring Volunteer and Neighboring Family connections by deepening our storytelling and highlighting Neighboring Volunteer experiences.   

3) MEETING THE NEED

Family homelessness surged by 39% between 2023 and 2024. Rising rents, stagnant wages, and diminishing public supports are fueling this crisis. Meeting this moment requires expanding Bridge of Hope’s network-wide capacity to serve more families and restore hope.  

We will:  

• Expand hope through serving 20+% more families across the network. 
  1. Reach 21 families/year in Chester County by FY 2028-29 (30% increase from 16)  
  2. Reach 37 families/year in Lancaster by FY 2028-29 (30% increase from 28)  
• Expand hope through launching 5 new locations across PA and the USA.   
• Engage 20% more Christian faith communities in the Bridge of Hope mission 
• 100% of affiliates begin tracking inquiries in Outcomes Tracker to enhance their board and leadership staff’s ability to see year-over-year trends in calls for help and levels of need in their local communities  
• Translate Strangers to Neighbors Guide into Spanish.