Entryway

Homelessness is more than a crisis—it’s a heartbreaking reality for over 771,000 individuals on any given night in the U.S., with situational homelessness accounting for 80% of those affected. Families and women are especially vulnerable, with family homelessness rising by a staggering 39% in 2024. Behind every statistic is a story of resilience—people who have worked hard but faced unexpected setbacks that derailed their stability. These are parents juggling childcare and job loss, individuals who have worked hard but faced sudden, life-altering challenges, such as a medical crisis, and families trying to escape domestic violence or cycles of poverty without access to affordable housing or resources to rebuild. Entryway seeks to address these challenges head-on, providing a lifeline to individuals and families who deserve a chance to regain their footing. By providing participants with training and access to both affordable housing and stable employment through our apartment industry hiring partners, Entryway delivers hope, stability, and the tools necessary for individuals to rebuild their lives.

At its heart, Entryway is about restoring dignity and hope to individuals and families facing the devastating reality of situational homelessness. Our solution empowers participants to reclaim their independence and rebuild their lives through a transformative combination of career training, employment, and housing opportunities. Entryway partners with Grace Hill and SkillCat to customize career paths that offer specialized knowledge and online training specific to property management careers at multifamily apartment communities. These on-demand platforms are thoughtfully designed to be accessible and adaptable, ensuring individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels can succeed on their own timeframe. Using AI, Entryway creates personalized resumes and cover letters that showcase a participant's past work experience and new training skills, emphasizing their readiness for a role in property management.

Entryway also addresses the urgent need for housing stability by connecting participants with hiring partners in the apartment industry who provide full-time employment opportunities and discounted housing. Participants benefit from waived first-month rent and fully furnished homes, creating an immediate sense of stability, security, and belonging.

This holistic approach doesn’t just provide temporary relief—it transforms lives. Participants experience an average 145% income increase, renewed confidence, and a clear pathway to long-term independence. 

The individuals we serve are at risk of or currently experiencing situational homelessness. They are individuals who have experienced a major crisis without a safety net to maintain economic stability.  These problems include a divorce, death of a family member, health issues, medical emergencies, domestic violence, or loss of employment. Once they are caught in this spiral of poverty and homelessness it can be very difficult to find stability again.

Entryway provides career training and access to hiring partners so that individuals are able to increase their income. In 2024, hired participants reported an average pre-program wage of $5.00/hour and were hired at an average wage of $21.13/hour—a 322% increase. This increase in income, paired with an Entryway arranged housing discount and eliminated or reduced move-in costs, provides a runway for economic independence and housing stability for families.

Interviews and LifeWorks Self-Sufficiency Matrix measures completed at program entry provide a snapshot of struggling participants with scores that are at the ‘in crisis’ or ‘vulnerable’ level for income, housing, employment, and food. At 90 days after participants begin work and at 12 months of employment, participants consistently score themselves at either ‘safe’ or the ‘building capacity’ level.

Entryway’s dedication to addressing homelessness is deeply rooted in our team’s connection to the communities we serve. Many team members bring firsthand experience of overcoming adversity or years of working with underserved populations, allowing us to design programs that are empathetic, practical, and effective. This proximity ensures our solution reflects the needs and voices of the people we serve.

Our approach is informed by consistent participant engagement and community feedback. With over 250 nonprofit referring partners and 90 hiring partners in the apartment industry, we tailor our programs to align with the unique challenges of each community. Many participants are referred by others who have successfully transitioned through Entryway’s program, reflecting the trust and impact we’ve cultivated.

Our data-driven model further ensures success. Using tools like TraxSolutions to track participants’ success and Grace Hill’s Performance HQ to provide online training, we continue to improve our offerings in 11 U.S. service markets through feedback surveys completed by participants. Over 1,300 participants have received training, completing career paths of learning and achieving certifications that prepare them for long-term careers. Entryway’s holistic model—combining career training, job placement, and discounted housing—empowers individuals to overcome barriers, reclaim their independence, and thrive in a stable, supportive environment.

Since our founding in 2014, we have helped over 900 individuals and family members achieve stable housing and employment. Testimonials from participants help show the impact of Entryway’s model. As Jessica, a recent participant, shared, “We owe everything to Entryway...you showed us that there are people out there that truly do care and follow through.” Similarly, LeKita, a participant who advanced to Assistant Property Manager, remarked, “Entryway gave me stability, confidence, and the promise of a better tomorrow.”

Our solution is in the Growth stage, driven by tested methodologies and measurable results. Since 2014, Entryway has transitioned over 900 individuals and family members from homelessness to economic self-sufficiency through a unique combination of career training, employment and housing partnerships. In 2021, we began implementing a localized service-delivery model, starting in five communities. Today, Entryway is active in eleven service markets.

We address challenges within the apartment industry, where high turnover rates affect operational stability. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council, on average, property management companies replace 31% of their workforce annually, with many reporting 50% turnover for entry level positions. Entryway's solution connects trained individuals to these roles and provides 90+ hiring partners with a stable, prepared workforce.

In 2024, 319 participants completed career path training, with 268 individuals and family members securing affordable housing—a 60% increase from 2023. Those participants were hired at an average $21.13/hour. In addition, another 80+ participants were hired in permanent positions without housing discounts, and 65 secured temporary positions to gain experience.

These accomplishments highlight our ability to broaden our impact, address industry workforce challenges, and deliver sustainable solutions that transform lives and strengthen communities.

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Entryway is a private industry solution to a public social issue integrating career training, full-time employment, and discounted housing into a sustainable, replicable model to combat situational homelessness. Unlike traditional approaches that prioritize temporary shelter or generalized assistance, Entryway offers a direct pathway to self-sufficiency by partnering with over 90 multifamily housing companies. These win-win partnerships not only create stable employment opportunities but also provide discounted housing in the same communities where participants work, enabling immediate stability.

By addressing both employment and housing needs simultaneously, our model eliminates common barriers like transportation and financial instability. Participants see an average income increase of 145% and receive comprehensive benefits, including waived first-month rent, discounted monthly rent (to be 30% or less of their income), furniture and home essentials. This ensures they are set up for long-term success, not just temporary relief.

Online training technology is a catalyst for our participants’ success. In 2022 we began using customized online career training; this meant that Entryway could offer a more competitive, trained candidate to our partners, while providing skills and services that benefit our participants in their search for full-time employment.

Our approach is distinct because it aligns the talent needs of the housing industry with the potential of individuals facing homelessness, creating a mutually beneficial system. This model has already lifted over 900 individuals and family members out of homelessness and is scalable across markets, as demonstrated by our expansion into 11 service areas.

This innovation can inspire broader adoption of employment-based housing solutions, setting a new standard for addressing homelessness with dignity and economic empowerment.

Our impact goals focus on transforming lives by providing individuals and families experiencing situational homelessness with a clear pathway to economic independence and stable housing. Specifically, our goals are to:

• Increase economic self-sufficiency: Equip participants with career training, skills, and mentorship to achieve long-term employment with livable wages.
• Expand access to stable housing: Provide participants with discounted housing opportunities through partnerships with multifamily housing companies.
• Lift families out of homelessness: Support participants and their families in achieving stability and independence, reducing the long-term prevalence of homelessness.

To measure our progress toward these goals, we track several key indicators:

• Number of participants who complete a career path training program: In 2024, we had 319 participants achieve this milestone.
• Increase in income: In 2024, hired participants reported an average pre-program wage of $5.00 per hour, but were hired at an average $21.13/hour—a 322% increase.
• Number of participants hired and housed: In 2024, 125 participants were hired and housed with our hiring partners (an increase of 36% from 2023).
• Family impact: For every participant housed, we track the number of family members impacted. In 2024, 154 family members were lifted out of homelessness (an increase of 100% from 2023).
• Employment retention: At the end of 2024, we found that Entryway participants spend an average of 11.7 months in their positions.
• Increased Self-Sufficiency: We use the LifeWorks Self-Sufficiency Matrix to measure participants' progress at intake, 90 days, and 12 months, ensuring we have a comprehensive understanding of their journey toward independence. Current data shows significant improvement at 90 days, and then a more modest improvement at 12 months.

Our solution team consists of:

• Full-time staff: 18 (7 on the national team and 11 in local service markets across 11 regions)
• Part-time staff: 1 (Atlanta Program Manager )
• Contractors or other workers: 3 (2 VISTA members; one ED provided by a program partner)

This dedicated team manages program intake, training, partnership development, and local implementation, ensuring effective service delivery and expansion into new communities.

We have been working on our solution for 10 years. Entryway was founded in 2014 (as Shelters to Shutters) with the mission to transition individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness into economic self-sufficiency. Over the past three years, we have refined our model, partnering with 90+ housing industry leaders and 250+ local referring partners, expanding from 5 to 11 service markets. Cumulatively, we’ve lifted over 900 individuals out of homelessness. This growth demonstrates the effectiveness and scalability of our solution, which continues to empower participants to achieve stability through career training, employment, and affordable housing opportunities.

Entryway is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve. Our leadership team, staff, and board members bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that enrich our organization and enhance our ability to address situational homelessness effectively. Like the people we serve, our team reflects a balance of gender, race, veteran status, and lived experience.

Our team conducts its activities according to the following Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement:

“At Entryway, we believe every employee, program contributor, and program participant brings a unique perspective and experience. Therefore, we seek to build an organization where everyone feels empowered to bring forth their full, authentic selves, where multiple approaches and points of view are honored, and diverse voices are valued and celebrated. This includes members of all underrepresented communities.”

We hold weekly team meetings that include all staff members and provide an opportunity for everyone to be heard, share their wins and their challenges. This offers a time for diverse perspectives and experience to help solve problems facing our participants, team, or organization. 

Our solution’s business model creates value by addressing situational homelessness through an integrated approach that combines career training, employment opportunities, and affordable housing. This model serves two key groups: individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and apartment industry partners seeking entry-level talent. 

Key Beneficiaries:  We empower individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness by providing them with customized career training, opportunities to interview for positions with hiring partners, and access to discounted housing. These services meet their critical needs for stable income, skill development, and secure living environments. Once hired, participants receive full-time employment with benefits and support through their first year as they transition to economic self-sufficiency. 

Key Customers:  Apartment industry partners benefit from a skilled and motivated workforce to fill critical roles, such as leasing consultants and maintenance technicians. Our program addresses industry challenges, including high turnover rates, up to 50% for entry level positions. Entryway offers a talent pipeline that improves retention and operational efficiency while delivering a measurable social return on investment. 

Revenue Model:  Our work is sustained through philanthropic contributions, including grants from foundations, corporate and event sponsorships, and individual donations, which fund training programs, participant support, and staffing in 11 service markets. Within the next five years, we hope to better establish our model and eventually begin to charge partners for referrals (much like recruiters) to create an earned revenue stream.

Service Delivery:  Entryway identifies candidates through referrals from nonprofit and community partners. Participants complete training via platforms like Grace Hill’s Performance HQ, tailored for apartment industry roles, and receive hands-on support to prepare for interviews. Hiring partners provide discounted housing during the first year, including waived first-month rent, creating a foundation for long-term stability. 

By addressing both housing and employment needs, our solution transforms lives, fosters strong partnerships, and builds healthier communities. 

Our plan for financial sustainability is built on a diversified revenue model that includes events, individual philanthropic contributions, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and scalable expansion within existing markets to optimize cost efficiency and impact. We’ve secured multi-year support from the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Walker & Dunlop, Fulton County, Walton Communities and several other multifamily partners.

Evidence of Success: 

Sustained Growth: Since 2021, Entryway has expanded from 5 to 11 service markets. 

Stable, Diversified Funding: Each year so far has operated with a modest revenue surplus. 2023 (our last audited year) revealed a breakdown of the following: Individuals 36%, Corporate Sponsorship 25%, Events 23%, Grants 16%. 

Cost Efficiency: Our localized model optimizes resource allocation, allowing each market to scale its operations cost-effectively. 

Long-Term Strategy: 

Increase grant funding: In 2025 we assigned an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to work on this full-time for the next year. As we continue to collect more data and build relationships, we expect more foundations will begin to support our program.

In 2024 we began working with more firms on cause marketing (donations as a result of referrals) and that should result in a new source of funding for 2025 and beyond as awareness of our program grows across the U.S.

We aim to deepen partnerships with existing funders and hiring partners while expanding our donor base and corporate sponsorships. By leveraging our successful track record of securing funding, managing costs, and demonstrating impact, Entryway is well-positioned to achieve financial sustainability and expand services to empower even more individuals and families. 

We are applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to secure critical resources, expertise, and partnerships to accelerate the growth and impact of our solution, which addresses situational homelessness through career training, employment, and affordable housing opportunities. 

The Truist Foundation’s support, combined with MIT Solve’s network and resources, could add significant value in several ways: 

1. Funding: Access to the Inspire Awards funding would enable us to continue expanding our services into underserved communities, hire additional staff, or scale our proven model to address the increasing demand for our programs. 

1. Expertise and Mentorship: Collaborating with MIT Solve and Truist Foundation experts would provide invaluable guidance in refining our operations, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing the use of technology like AI, TraxSolutions and Grace Hill’s Performance IQ to improve participant outcomes. 

1. Overcoming Barriers: Expanding our capacity within current markets presents challenges such as securing additional resources for participant support, staff training, and program delivery. The Inspire Awards could help us address these barriers by providing critical support for operational efficiency and community engagement. 

1. Visibility and Collaboration: Being part of this Challenge would amplify our visibility, helping us attract new partners, funders, and advocates. The opportunity to collaborate with other innovative organizations would inspire new approaches to our work and strengthen our impact. 

By partnering with the Truist Foundation and MIT Solve, we aim to expand our awareness, deepen our impact, scale our model, and continue empowering individuals and families to achieve long-term economic independence and housing stability.