A grass roots effort to help the homeless began in 1987, when five churches on Milwaukee's south side came together to provide overnight shelter services for single individuals. For three years, the homeless in the community had access to a bed for the night because of the efforts of these churches. The groups working to provide shelter for the homeless had no operating budget or formal procedures when it came to their shelter services, but this was the beginning of a vision and a mission that continues to be carried out at Hope House of Milwaukee.

Between 1995 and 1996, Hope House underwent a critical expansion in terms of the size of the building and the reach of its services. The building was expanded and renovated into two lots adjoining the original site. The new facilities were able to accommodate more individuals and families, along with a food pantry, education areas, a medical clinic, and an office area for case managers and support staff. Since that time, Hope House has continued to add programs and services necessary to address the needs of the low-income and homeless populations in Milwaukee.

Hope House now offers the Shining Stars Youth Program, adult education and GED classes, and life skills workshops onsite. In addition to the services offered at Hope House, the effort of Hope House has expanded into the community. Hope House operates over sixty units of subsidized housing and in 2005, they opened a Single Residence Occupancy program named the Surgeon’s Quarters on the VA grounds which provides housing for homeless individuals with a preference for veterans.

The agency has evolved from a loosely connected group of churches, extending a compassionate hand to the homeless, to an organization with a holistic approach to combating the roots of homelessness and poverty. And although the organization has changed and grown over the years, it has never lost sight of the importance of valuing all people, and assisting them as they overcome challenges and strive to become independent.