Our Work

A Two-Generation (2GEN) Approach to Housing Stability

The Siemer Institute funds a network of collaborative partners designed to support families at risk of unplanned moves or eviction. These initiatives offer comprehensive services to stabilize families in their homes, prioritizing the well-being of all children, while also addressing the needs of their parents or caregivers.

Our Vision Communities We Serve

The Need

We understand that children facing frequent unplanned moves can encounter difficulties in both academics and social connections. Our programs are customized and locally managed to ensure they are responsive to the immediate needs of the community. Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach to preventing homelessness and eviction isn’t universally effective, our partners have the flexibility to identify and implement the most suitable solutions for their specific communities, all while operating within a nationally managed collective impact model.

  • Our Approach

    A Two-Generation (2GEN) Approach to Family Stability:

    The Siemer Institute funds a network of collaborative partners dedicated to supporting families at risk of unplanned moves or eviction and identifying community-appropriate solutions to housing insecurity. Within a nationally coordinated model, our partners prioritize stabilizing families, addressing the needs of both children and parents (or caregivers) simultaneously.

  • Providing Resources for Our Partners

    As the backbone organization, the Siemer Institute conducts research to inform and enhance the work of our partners. We serve as a hub of information, and we create ongoing opportunities for our partners to learn from one another.

    Our Programs

Meeting the Need

Building partnerships across the country, the Siemer Institute collaborates with community-based funding partners by providing challenge grants to implement community-appropriate solutions within the Siemer Institute Family Stability framework. Multi-year grants empower partners to build lasting, effective programs.

Our Vision: Thriving Children, Strengthened Families, and Connected Communities

We strive for lasting change for our families. We want our families to gain the skills and resources they need to gain permanent stability. We encourage our partners to develop programs that extend beyond crisis interventions to empower families on the long road to self-sufficiency.

Siemer Institute provides funding to partners who support programs that create housing stability for families with children in the home who are at risk of homelessness or eviction.

  • 150,000
    Approximately 150,000 families have been served by the Siemer Institute since 2003.
  • 385,000
    Along with our partners, we’ve served approximately 385,000 children since 2003, helping to ensure school stability for children across the nation.

How We Support

  • Challenge Grants

    Match donations to incentivize philanthropic support.

  • Advocacy Grants

    Fund efforts to address systemic issues and drive positive change

  • Expansion Grants
  • Annual Summit

    Provide opportunities to strengthen relationships, further education, and share best practices.

  • Communities of Practice

    Explore strategic planning. Right to Counsel programs, and more in these network forums with 98% participant satisfaction.

  • Annual CEO Meeting

    Hear Barbara Siemer’s thoughts on the future of our combined work.

  • Evidence-Based Learning

    Measure progress of each family and provides insights for programmatic improvements.

A Message from Our President

Dear Friends,

As we reflect on 2024, we are inspired by the incredible resilience and strength of the families we serve. At the Siemer Institute, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable home, free from the disruptions that can hinder their education and future. This belief continues to drive our mission and the remarkable progress we’ve achieved together.

This past year, our network across 39 states provided unwavering support to families navigating uncertainty. Together, we helped more than 22,300 families and nearly 49,000 children reach greater housing stability, increase their income, and achieve educational success . Behind these numbers are stories of perseverance and hope that remind us of the transformative power of family stability.

Collaboration and data-informed decision-making remain at the heart of our work. Partner feedback and research guide our path forward: In 2025, we’re excited to strengthen connections through virtual Community of Practice Meetings.

Family stability is more than just a foundation—it’s a catalyst for generational change. To our partners, providers, donors, and supporters: Thank you for your steadfast commitment and generosity. Together, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities—one family at a time.

With gratitude,

Kimberly Habash Dorniden

President & National Executive Director

“We truly are better together"

Learn More

Now that you know what we do, find out more about who we are by reading about our mission and history.

About the Institute
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