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The Housing Collective Inc

EIN 20-5529890 · Bridgeport, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HOUSING COLLECTIVE HARNESSES THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ENSURE HOUSING STABILITY FOR ALL.

Income
$12.7 million
Spending
$12.2 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
31
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$160,416, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 88% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $11.3 million spent. THE HOUSING COLLECTIVE PROVIDES BACKBONE SUPPORT TO REGIONAL "OPENING DOORS" INITIATIVES THAT COORDINATE LOCAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SYSTEM COORDINATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, FIDUCIARY SERVICES AND FACILITATION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE HOUSING OUTCOMES.
  2. THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS WITH MUNICIPALITIES, NONPROFIT AGENCIES, AND HOUSING STAKEHOLDERS TO ADVANCE HOUSING ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONVENING CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND COORDINATING DATA-DRIVEN STRATEGIES TO EXPAND LOCAL HOUSING OPTIONS. EFFORTS STRENGTHEN CAPACITY AT THE MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING SYSTEMS.
  3. THE HOUSING COLLECTIVE OPERATES THE HOUSING INNOVATION LAB TO TEST AND SCALE DATA-INFORMED, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE HOUSING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. THE LAB LEADS RESEARCH, PILOT PROJECTS, AND TRAINING EFFORTS FOCUSED ON SYSTEMS CHANGE, DATA INTEGRATION, AND ENGAGEMENT OF PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS. RESULTS INFORM STATEWIDE POLICY AND PRACTICE IMPROVEMENTS.
  4. THE CORPORATION SUPPORTS OPENING DOORS FAIRFIELD COUNTY, THE REGIONAL HUD DESIGNATED CONTINUUM OF CARE SYSTEM THROUGH FUNDING BY HUD'S CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DESIGNING AND CARRYING OUT A COLLABORTIVE PROCESS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APPLICATION TO HUD; EVALUATING THE OUTCOMES OF PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUNDS ARE AWARDED; AND DEVELOPING A REGIONWIDE PROCESS INVOLVING THE COORDINATION OF MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS.THE CORPORATION PROMOTES CROSS SECTOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE REGION'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD ("THE WORKPLACE INC.") AND THE AREA'S PROMINENT HOMELESS PROVIDERS THAT INCLUDE ALPHA COMMUNITY SERVICES/CCCYMCA AND NEW REACH, NEW HAVEN. THE GOAL OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES ("SSVF") IS TO HELP VETERAN FAMILIES WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, QUICKLY REGAIN STABILITY IN PERMANENT HOUSING. IDENTIFYING HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, THE CORPORATION ENSURES SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS EMPLOYMENT/HOUSING MODEL.THE CORPORATION IS A SUBCONTRACTOR OF OPERATION HOPE WHO RECEIVES FUNDING FROM THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SERVICES TO OPERATE THE BRIDGEPORT HOUSING FIRST ("BHF") PROGRAM, A SUCCESSFUL LOCALLY DESIGNED MULTI-AGENCY INITIATIVE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FUNDED UNDER A THREE-YEAR FEDERAL GRANT. UNDER THE BHF PROGRAM, THE CORPORATION FUNDS A TEAM LEADER AND PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMMING SUPPORT TO OVERSEE THE OPERATION OF HOUSING CHRONICALLY HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.