Fannie Mae Raises Over $1 Million in 2012 to Combat Homelessness

Four hundred Help the Homeless community walks planned in DC Metro area over the next two weeks

Callie Wolk

202.752.3117

WASHINGTON (October 24, 2012)  – Over the next two weeks, community organizations will hold nearly 400 Community Walks across the Washington metropolitan area as part of Fannie Mae’s 2012 Help the Homeless Program (HTH), organizers announced today. In its 25^th year, HTH has made a meaningful difference in addressing the issue of homelessness across the region and this year, 76 of the area’s leading nonprofit organizations committed to serving the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless will benefit from funds raised through the program. Over $1 million has been raised so far in 2012 to support this cause.

"Nearly 300 Community Walks have taken place as part of the Help the Homeless program, and we are very excited that an additional 400 will occur in the coming weeks. Thousands of people in our region – 33,197 to be exact – have joined together to address homelessness, an issue Fannie Mae has been committed to for 25 years," said Rosie Allen-Herring, Senior Director, Office of Community Investment and Engagement for Fannie Mae.

During the program’s 25^th year, Fannie Mae has introduced HTH to five new cities, with the goal of building the capacity of the following beneficiaries: 

Atlanta: Nicholas House
Chicago: Hesed House
Dallas: The Bridge
Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center
Los Angeles:  United Way of Greater Los Angeles

HTH beneficiary organizations provide a range of services to children, families, and veterans facing homelessness including permanent affordable and supportive housing, emergency shelter, and homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing that allows clients to avoid homelessness. Many beneficiary organizations offer support services such as food programs, case management, health care, child care, drug and alcohol treatment, job training and placement, housing counseling, financial skills training, and more.

Since 1988, HTH – the nation’s largest fundraising effort focused on homelessness – has raised more than $90 million for nonprofit organizations. In 2011, more than $6.2 million was raised and donated to beneficiaries across the Washington metropolitan region. To learn more about Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program, please visit www.hthwalks.org.

About Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program: The Help the Homeless (HTH) Program provides a fundraising model to help build the capacity of nonprofit organizations working to prevent and end homelessness. Each year, tens of thousands of people get involved in the Program by participating in a HTH community walk, making a donation, being a sponsor, or volunteering their time to support organizations dedicated to serving homeless people. To learn more about HTH, please visit www.hthwalks.org.