How Dignity Housing serves the many faces of homelessness in Philadelphia

“Around the Corner” is a PhillyCAM show that offers local social impact leaders the opportunity to share what impact their work is having on the Philadelphia area. 

Of the 216 people who were served by homelessness nonprofit Dignity Housing last year, 94 percent had experienced some sort of trauma.

That’s according to John Ungar, executive director of Dignity Housing, which provides transitional and supportive housing to vulnerable families. Many of those who participate in the organization’s programs are survivors of domestic violence or dealing with substance abuse issues — and they come from a variety of circumstances.

“Homelessness is not just the typical image of someone living on the street,” he said. “If you’ve had to sleep in a car, or if you’re crashing with relatives or friends … that’s homelessness as well.”

Watch Ungar’s “Around the Corner” interview to learn why Dignity Housing’s governance board includes formerly homeless individuals, how it’s planning to build a playground for the kids in its programs and how you can support the organization.

PhillyCAM is Comcast channel 66/966 HD/967 and Verizon FIOS channel 29/30 in Philadelphia.