Clayton Marks Milestone with 20th Donated Home to Family Promise, Giving Families a Stable Fresh Start

A new home, not just a roof: Clayton hits the 20-home mark for families in need

Clayton announced this week that it has given its 20th donated home to Family Promise, the national nonprofit that helps families facing homelessness get back on their feet. The gift—built and finished by Clayton staff and partners—will house a local family and provide a stable base while they work to rebuild their lives. Leaders from both organizations marked the handover with a small neighborhood celebration where volunteers, staff and the family met for the first time.

The donation continues a multi-year relationship aimed at moving families from crisis shelter into longer-term housing. For the people who get the keys, the change is immediate and practical: a private place to sleep, cook and plan for the future without the daily worry of finding a bed.

How the Clayton–Family Promise partnership grew and operates

The partnership began as a series of local projects and slowly grew into a repeatable program that Clayton can deploy in several communities. Clayton provides the home and construction work, while Family Promise handles placement, case management and support services for the household that moves in. Local volunteer groups and civic partners often handle landscaping, furnishings and move-in logistics.

The program focuses on families who are ready to move out of temporary shelter but still need help getting into permanent housing. Clayton’s role covers building or donating a finished single-family home; Family Promise vets applicants, matches a family to a house and offers services such as job search help, budgeting workshops and connections to local child care and schools. The two groups say the model is meant to reduce the time families spend in crisis and to increase the chance they stay housed long term.

That cooperative setup lets the groups move from one site to the next without reinventing the plan each time. It also spreads the workload so Clayton can focus on building, while Family Promise concentrates on supporting residents.

The numbers and where the homes are helping

Twenty homes now carry the Clayton–Family Promise stamp. That number represents more than empty houses; it means several dozen adults and children who have moved into stable, private housing instead of living in shelters, cars or crowded temporary arrangements. The donations have taken place across multiple states, concentrating in regions where both organizations had active chapters and volunteer networks.

Each donated home typically supports a single family for years, reducing immediate shelter demand and giving parents time to improve earnings and children a steady school routine. Beyond those direct households, the presence of permanent homes often eases pressure on nearby shelters, freeing up space for others in urgent need.

While this milestone is modest in the scale of the overall affordable-housing shortage, the homes act as concrete proof that public, private and nonprofit resources can be aligned to produce straightforward results.

Company and partner reactions: what the donation means to local families

A Clayton representative said, “Building a house is only the first step. Seeing a family move in and begin to plan for the future is the real reward.” Family Promise leadership added that partnerships like this one plug gaps that public programs sometimes miss, especially for families who need both housing and sustained support.

One parent who recently moved into a donated house described the difference: “For the first time in years my kids have their own rooms. We can breathe and start thinking about tomorrow.” A local official at the handover praised the project for bringing neighbors together and offering a tangible solution to homelessness that goes beyond short-term shelter.

These voices underline that the donation is as much about stability and dignity as it is about construction and charity.

Why this model matters for housing stability

Affordable housing remains scarce in many communities, and shelters can only do so much for families without pathways into permanent homes. Corporate donations of finished housing cut through common barriers: they reduce waiting times, lower immediate relocation costs, and create a stable base from which families can pursue work and schooling.

This approach doesn’t solve systemic housing shortages or the need for more affordable apartments, but it shows how targeted private contributions can improve outcomes for individual families and reduce strain on local safety nets.

Next steps: how communities can support and where the program goes from here

Clayton and Family Promise say the program will continue in communities where partners and volunteers can be lined up. Local chapters typically welcome volunteers for furnishings, move-in help and mentorship, and private donors can support Family Promise’s casework and services. For neighbors who want to help, taking part in local volunteer days or donating household items are immediate, practical ways to make a difference.

Sources

• prnewswire.com