🏠 580,000+ Americans experience homelessness tonight. One Level Up Foundation is fighting back. You are not alone.

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One Level Up Foundation  ·  Serving Underserved Communities

No One Should Sleep
Without a Home.

Wraparound support for homeless individuals — advocacy,
financial literacy, housing, and digital empowerment.

Our Three Pillars

Dignity
Get Help Now
Stability
Find Grants
Opportunity
Free Training
 
Donate
580K+
Americans homeless tonight
40%
of homeless are families
$0
cost to access our resources
1 in 5
homeless adults have mental illness
4.2M
youth homeless annually

Who We Serve

Homelessness Has Many Faces

Every story is different. Every person deserves dignity. Select a population below to explore resources and how we help.

Elderly homeless senior
🧓
48%
Seniors — The Fastest Growing Homeless Population
Nearly half of all homeless individuals are over 50. Fixed incomes, rising rents, and health crises push seniors to the streets — often after a lifetime of hard work.
Click to explore resources →
Person experiencing homelessness and mental health crisis
🧠
30%
Mental Health — When the Mind Has No Safe Place to Rest
30% of homeless individuals live with serious mental illness. 57% have never received treatment. Homelessness and mental health are inseparable crises.
Click to explore resources →
Homeless family
👨‍👩‍👧
40%
Families — No Child Should Wonder Where They Will Sleep
40% of homeless are families with children. 84% are led by single mothers. Job loss, domestic violence, and the housing crisis push entire families into shelters and onto the streets.
Click to explore resources →
Homeless youth
👦
4.2M
Minors & Youth — Our Children Are Sleeping Outside
4.2 million young people experience homelessness every year. Most are invisible — couch surfing, hiding, surviving alone. 40% have aged out of foster care with nowhere to go.
Click to explore resources →

Senior Homelessness

The Fastest Growing Homeless Population

Adults over 50 now make up nearly half of all homeless individuals in the US. Fixed incomes, rising rents, and health crises push seniors to the streets at alarming rates.

Over age 50
48%
Live alone
62%
Have disability
74%
On fixed income
81%
Section 8 / HCV Program
Housing Choice Voucher — priority for seniors 62+
Apply →
SSI / Social Security Benefits
Supplemental income for elderly individuals in need
Learn →
NJ PAAD Program
NJ Prescription Assistance for seniors on fixed income
Apply →
Elder Care Locator (HHS)
National resource to find local senior services
Find →
NJ Area Agency on Aging
County-level services, meals, transportation, housing
Connect →
Get Senior Housing HelpSenior Grants

Mental Health & Homelessness

When the Mind Has No Safe Place to Rest

Mental illness is both a cause and consequence of homelessness. Without stable housing, managing mental health becomes nearly impossible — and without support, housing cannot be maintained.

Have mental illness
30%
Substance use disorder
26%
Never received treatment
57%
Experienced trauma
87%
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7
Call →
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free mental health & substance use treatment referrals
Find Help →
PATH Program (NJ)
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
Apply →
NJ Mental Health Cares
NJ hotline connecting to local mental health services
Connect →
HUD-VASH (Veterans)
Housing + clinical support for homeless veterans
Learn →
Connect to Crisis SupportMental Health Grants

Family Homelessness

Families Deserve More Than Survival

Families with children are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population. Job loss, domestic violence, and the affordable housing crisis push entire families into shelters, cars, and motels.

Families with children
40%
Single mothers
84%
Fled domestic violence
50%
Children miss school
75%
Emergency Family Shelter — NJ 211
Dial 211 — NJ statewide family shelter locator
Call 211 →
Family Unification Program (HUD)
Housing vouchers for families at risk of child separation
Apply →
SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)
Federal nutrition assistance for low-income families
Apply →
TANF — NJ WorkFirst
Temporary cash assistance for families in crisis
Learn →
DV Hotline — Safe Housing
National domestic violence hotline — safe housing resources
Get Help →
Find Family ShelterFamily Grants

Youth & Minors

Our Children Are Sleeping Outside

Youth homelessness is largely hidden. Young people couch surf, sleep in cars, and avoid shelters out of fear. Many aged out of foster care with nowhere to go. LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented.

Aged out of foster care
40%
LGBTQ+ youth
40%
Experienced abuse
46%
Dropped out of school
75%
National Runaway Safeline
1-800-RUNAWAY — 24/7 crisis support for youth
Call →
RHY Program (HHS)
Runaway & Homeless Youth federal grants & shelters
Find Shelter →
NJ Youth Continuum
NJ-based youth homeless shelters and transition services
Connect →
McKinney-Vento School Rights
Homeless youth have the right to stay enrolled in school
Learn →
True Colors United
Resources specifically for LGBTQ+ homeless youth
Get Help →
Youth Emergency ResourcesYouth Grants

Our Programs

How We Lift Communities

Four pillars — advocacy, financial literacy, housing navigation, and AI-powered digital communications.

✊
Community Advocacy

We fight at the policy level for housing rights, anti-discrimination protections, and funding for homeless services. Your voice amplified — at city hall, in Trenton, and in Washington.

Advocacy
💚
Financial Literacy via AI

AI-powered workshops on budgeting, credit repair, banking access, and benefits navigation. We help individuals understand their financial rights and build a foundation for stability.

Financial Empowerment
🏠
Housing Navigation

From Section 8 applications to emergency shelter placement, our trained navigators walk alongside individuals through every step of the housing process — no one navigates alone.

Housing
📡
AI Digital Communications

We bridge the digital divide — teaching homeless individuals how to use AI tools, access online resources, apply for benefits digitally, and navigate modern systems.

Digital Equity

Grant Hub

Funding Opportunities
for Those We Serve

We curate and update grant opportunities for homeless individuals, families, nonprofits, and community organizations. Financial help exists — we help you find it and apply.

💰
$2M+
in grants tracked & updated
Federal — Housing
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Federal rental assistance for very low-income individuals and families. Priority given to elderly, disabled, and homeless applicants.
Up to 100% rent subsidy
📅 Open enrollment varies by county
Apply via HUD →
Federal — Emergency
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
Funds emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and HMIS data systems for nonprofits.
$50K – $500K
📅 Annual — contact your state DCA
Learn More →
Federal — Continuum
HUD Continuum of Care (CoC)
The largest federal grant for homeless services — funds transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing programs.
$100K – $2M+
📅 Annual NOFA — typically summer
Apply →
NJ State — Housing
NJ Affordable Housing Trust Fund
State-level funding for affordable housing development and preservation in New Jersey communities.
Varies by project
📅 Rolling applications
Apply via NJHMFA →
Foundation — Social Services
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Major foundation funding health equity, housing, and community-based programs addressing root causes of poverty.
$25K – $500K
📅 Multiple cycles annually
Apply →
Federal — Youth
Runaway & Homeless Youth (RHY)
HHS grants for organizations providing basic center shelter, transitional living, and street outreach to homeless youth under 21.
$75K – $200K
📅 Annual NOFA
Apply →

Training & Education

Knowledge Is the First Step Up

Free training powered by AI and digital communications — for anyone who wants to understand the system, navigate it, and rise above it.

🏠
01
Section 8 & Housing 101

Step-by-step guide to understanding, applying for, and navigating Section 8 and federal housing programs.

  • How Section 8 waitlists work
  • What documents you need
  • How to appeal a denial
  • Local housing authority resources
💵
02
Financial Literacy for Stability

AI-powered financial literacy — from opening a bank account to building credit from zero.

  • Opening a bank account without credit
  • Credit building from scratch
  • Budgeting on a fixed income
  • Benefits cliff navigation
📡
03
AI & Digital Skills

Bridge the digital divide — use AI tools and digital platforms to find housing, apply for benefits, and access opportunities.

  • Using AI to find resources
  • Applying for benefits online
  • Digital communication basics
  • Online job applications
📋
04
Grant Navigation & Advocacy

For community leaders and nonprofit founders — find, apply for, and manage grants for homeless services.

  • Finding the right grants
  • Writing a winning narrative
  • Grant reporting basics
  • Building funder relationships
Sign Up for Free Training

Get Help

You Deserve More Than
Where You Are Right Now

No judgment. No barriers. Whether you need emergency shelter, housing assistance, financial guidance, or just someone to talk to — we are here.

🏠 Need Housing Help?

Our housing navigators walk you through every option — Section 8, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and more. You don't have to figure this out alone.

Request Housing Help

💚 Need Financial Guidance?

From benefits applications to credit building, our financial literacy coaches will help you understand your options and take the next step toward stability.

Get Financial Help
🔜 Coming Soon

🧠 Crisis Hotline

Our dedicated One Level Up crisis hotline is launching soon — direct connection to trained counselors who understand homelessness and mental health. Until then, call 988 for immediate crisis support.

Call 988 Now
🔜 Coming Soon

📡 Digital Access Program

Our digital equity program — providing devices, WiFi hotspots, and AI literacy training to homeless individuals — is launching soon. Register your interest and we will reach out when we go live.

Register Interest

📧 help@onelvlup.com  ·  🌐 onelvlup.com