Years of Service
Organizations
Countries
Goal: End Homelessness!
Who we are
A Vincentian Family global initiative supporting established and emerging homelessness initiatives across the globe. We understand homelessness as those living on the street, refugees and those displaced from their home, and slum dwellers in inadequate housing.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a place to call home and a stake in their community.
What we do
- Improve and transform the lives of homeless people,
- Build global capacity in the Vincentian Family,
- Encourage structural change,
- Community engagement,
- Communication for social change.
The "13 Houses" Campaign
We were inspired by Vincent’s 13 houses. He saw a need and responded with concrete action. Today, we are confronted with the same problems that Vincent faced, but on a global scale. Of the 7 billion people on this planet almost 1.2 billion are homeless – they have been displaced, live in slums or on the streets of our cities. Many of them are turned away in their greatest time of need – a stark reminder of those words that dampen the joy of Luke’s infancy narrative: “There was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)
The 13 Houses Campaign has been created in response to this reality, learning and borrowing from the work of St Vincent himself.
The "13 Houses" Jubilee Project
In a powerful demonstration of compassion and solidarity, the Vincentian Family embarked on a transformative journey through the 13 Houses Jubilee Project, a global initiative that promised to bring shelter and hope to vulnerable families across thirteen new countries.
During the World Day of the Poor on November 17, 2024, Pope Francis blessed 13 symbolic bronze keys—meticulously crafted by Catholic artist Timothy Schmalz—representing homes to be built in Syria, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. These keys are more than mere metal; they are emblems of hope, dignity, and symbols of the Church’s unwavering commitment to those experiencing homelessness.
During the Jubilee of the Poor on November 16, 2025, beneficiaries from each of the thirteen countries gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica, receiving a special blessing from Pope Francis. This powerful gathering symbolized the global reach and united mission of the Vincentian Family.
What’s Been Going On: News & Activities
A new dawn for homelessness services in Ukraine
Depaul Ukraine’s Jubilee of Hope Project is offering a new response to homelessness in Ukraine through transitional housing, psychosocial support, and pathways to long-term reintegration. Supporting 25 people near Kyiv, the project helps vulnerable individuals rebuild stability, dignity, and hope.
Raising Hope in Canada: St. Vincent’s on Huron Affordable Housing Project in London, Ontario
St. Vincent’s on Huron is nearing a pivotal moment for affordable housing in London, Ontario (Canada). Developed by...
Housing in the slum: a new beginning for a brave single mother in Costa Rica
International Women's Day, celebrated on 8th March, honours women worldwide. However, it’s rare to hear about what...
A Jubilee of Hope, A Project with a Twist: Tonga’s 13 Houses Project
A simple plan to help one family rebuild after disaster grew into a movement of hope in Tonga. Through the Famvin Homeless Alliance’s 13 Houses Jubilee Project, SSVP Tonga restored safe, dignified housing for four families—each home becoming a symbol of resilience, belonging, and community. In a nation repeatedly struck by cyclones, volcanic eruptions, and displacement, these rebuilt houses offer more than shelter: they renew dignity and strengthen the bonds that hold families together.
Renewing our commitment to people experiencing homelessness
December 2025 Newsletter Editorial The FHA Team, spread in four countries and two continents, works mostly...
The Vincentian Family and those experiencing homelessness as Pilgrims of Hope
As the 2025 Church’s Jubilee Year comes to an end on January 6th, 2026, we write these lines with our hearts...