Our House expands LR facilities to help homeless

Our House, a nonprofit in central Arkansas, has expanded its facilities in Little Rock to serve more homeless Arkansans.

The 27,000-square-foot expansion cost about $16 million and will allow Our House to double its housing capacity for families, double the number of children served in its early childhood center and out-of-school programs, provide more space for case management and workforce training programs, and, for the first time, provide dedicated space for on-site mental and physical health services.

“Today, we’re celebrating a commitment to human potential,” said Ben Goodwin, executive director of Our House. “We believe people experiencing homelessness are capable of great things, and our community supports us in that belief. Thousands of people over the years have contributed their resources, support, and encouragement to allow us to fulfill our commitment that every man, woman, and child who comes onto our campus will receive the comprehensive support they need to rebuild their lives.”

The new Family House is designed to address the increasing need for housing homeless families together. It includes 14 apartment-style transitional units with shared kitchens and living spaces, providing the necessary safety, structure, and support to help families regain stability.

The new Family Support Center serves as Our House’s hub for supportive services. It offers coordinated access to case management, education, and job training, expanded room for children of all ages, mental health space, and primary care services for all family members, with the goal of removing barriers to exiting homelessness.

The organization has unveiled plans for its next phase of growth. It will add 11 additional family housing units and dedicated space for operational services. A $3.8 million grant is coming from the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration (ADFA) and $1.5 million from the Windgate Foundation to pay for this new project.

Our House is seeking donations to complete the fundraising needs for the new project and to break ground later in 2024.