Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky’s (HHCK) Homes for All program provides housing-related services to individuals and families across Kentucky who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity or are in search of affordable homeownership opportunities. HHCK works with several partner organizations to provide services. As part of those partnerships, Homes for All AmeriCorps members serve at nonprofits, public agencies, and government institutions, working in a variety of ways to serve people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
In addition to the work done by State and National AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps VISTA members serve partner organizations to build their capacity. Members engage in a wide range of activities, including grant writing, fundraising, program development, and community outreach. As a result, partner organizations have increased capacity to provide services more efficiently, more effectively, and at a greater scope. This return on investment (ROI) analysis is restricted to the costs and benefits of activities of AmeriCorps State and National members. While this ROI does not include VISTA’s impacts, VISTA members contribute to more positive outcomes to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
To better understand the impact of the program in relation to costs, AmeriCorps commissioned an ROI analysis by ICF, an independent research firm. ROI analyses of national service programs estimate the monetary value of benefits that a program generates per dollar invested.
Key Findings
- The ROI analysis estimated the HHCK Homes for All program’s ROI to be between $3.14 and $8.68 per funder dollar, depending on how long individuals served by Homes for All and AmeriCorps members experience increased earnings as a result of the program.
- The return on each dollar of federal support for the program is between $3.85 and $10.65.
- These results are driven by decreased government expenditures due to reduced homelessness and favorable employment and education outcomes for AmeriCorps members following their service.
Return on Investment (ROI) Studies
AmeriCorps and its grantees have invested significant resources in evaluating different agency programs and supported program models designed to improve a range of outcomes for national service members and volunteers, children, families, organizations, and communities across America. AmeriCorps has commissioned ICF International to conduct ROI analyses to help measure the program performance and build the base of evidence for future resource allocation decisions. In addition, each ROI study helps AmeriCorps communicate the value of its programs to relevant stakeholders. The ROI Studies Project will produce 26 ROI assessments.
Full report
Further information
AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation Commissioned Study