HAPpy First Anniversary to Briana Nicholas! Briana serves as Homeless Advocacy Project's Operations and Development Coordinator, and is an incredibly valuable asset to our organization. Briana's calm demeanor immediately puts our clients at ease, and her creativity brightens our social media!

Members of the HAP staff went into the night with other volunteers from across the city to conduct the annual Point In Time Count. They walked from 11pm – 2am across their zone to record the number of Philadelphians who are sleeping or living outside, or in vehicles. #weallcount

One of the services HAP provides for its clients is procuring birth certificates. Being homeless can mean you don’t always have access to the documentation you need to get further identification, housing, and even a job. Read more on our website: https://ow.ly/F90Q50Ym202

Yesterday HAP was glad to host its legal clinic at Self Inc’s Mike Hinson Resource Center (MHRC). We thank staff from both organizations and our volunteers who attended. Pictured below is Claybourne Watkins Jr., MHRC’s Day Program Coordinator with Pat Malley, Esq., HAP’s Senior Staff Attorney.

HAP will be closed Monday, February 16th in observation of President's Day.

This Valentine's Day, we'd like to spread the love to our volunteers! Laura Kolb, Esq., HAP's Children, Youth, and Families Project Director and Maggie Oberkircher, Esq., HAP's Pro Bono Coordinator share some words we hope our volunteers take to heart. 🥰

HAP is teaming up with the Nehemiah Center to offer a chance to win a free educational course on Black History. The course is a $300 value and will be held virtually Mondays Feb 16th– April 20th. Registration ends 2/6, so a winner will be chosen 2/4. Comment and like this post for a chance to enter!

Happy Black History month from all of us at HAP. In the wake of current events, it’s important to remember those who fought for their right to be recognized as citizens in the face of oppression and violence.

The below graph highlights some somber statistics, the unsheltered in Philadelphia, those living in places unfit for human habitation, have increased more than 21% since 2024. Whereas sheltered individuals, people who are in a form of shelter or transitional housing have increased by 3% since 2024.

With a new year, HAP is excited to introduce its new monthly web feature, Homeless Advocacy Project in Action. Each month we’ll tell you about what issues are most pressing to our clients and what we are doing about them. See our first feature below, by Nancy Rimmer, Esq. https://ow.ly/zXGP50Y4YlK

With a new year, HAP is excited to introduce its new monthly web feature, Homeless Advocacy Project in Action. Each month we’ll tell you about what issues are most pressing to our clients and what we are doing about them. See our first feature below, by Nancy Rimmer, Esq. https://ow.ly/zXGP50Y4YlK

HAP wishes to thank Edan L. who used the last of his 2025 HSA funds to purchase menstrual products for clients who visit our office and dropped off his donation last week. We’re grateful to Edan for his thoughtfulness, and to Faye for spreading the good word about HAP!

HAP will be closed January 19th, in observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

It's Margie’s 26th year at HAP! Since 2000, Margianne has been a dedicated and familiar face and voice to many of our clients here at HAP. Her empathy and professionalism serve as a guide for our clients and the members of the admin team. Thanks for your dedication and HAPpy anniversary!

HAPpy 8th Anniversary to our SOAR Project Director, Patrick McNeil! Patrick has continued to secure long-term income for those who need it most with the utmost dedication. Patrick also provides much a much-needed levity to the office with his humor and personable energy. Happy 8th! 🎉

HAP is Hiring! The Homeless Advocacy Project is looking for a staff attorney. Applicants are encouraged to apply by January 26, 2026 to [email protected].

HAP would like to welcome Alexandra Ravano! Alex is our new Administrative and Intake Specialist, which is a role where she can speak with clients both on the phone and in-person at our clinics. Alex graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs.

❄️HAP Offices will be closed for Winter Break from December 24th 2025 - January 2nd 2026. ❄️

We wish to thank the community for its role in Homeless Persons Memorial Day, including Faye Chevalier and Andrew Feigenbaum, HAP staffers who helped organize the event. It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with other compassionate individuals to mourn those lost in 2025.

Many thanks to a truly fantastic group of volunteers who helped HAP to host a life planning clinic in November and provided such valuable services to our clients. Read about it here: https://www.haplegal.org/happening/december-2025-volunteer-spotlight-life-planning-clinic.

Join us Thursday, December 18th at Arch Street Meeting House to honor those those who passed. Services will begin at 4:30pm followed by a community dinner at 6:00pm. Please note that this event will be held indoors to accommodate for code blue weather conditions.

Please read HAP's Statement on The Trump Administration's Proposed Funding Cuts on the Happenings section of our website. https://ow.ly/vri950XGnMr

HAP staff like Margie invite you to enroll in our monthly giving program this #GivingTuesday! Your monthly gift of $35 will make a tremendous difference in HAP's ability to fulfill its mission. Enroll today and help our clients year-round! https://ow.ly/W6zI50XAK6p

Homeless Advocacy Project wishes to thank every individual—whether client, volunteer, donor, staff, event attendee, or community partner—everyone who helped make our 2025 successes in our clients' lives possible. Thank you and we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

A

New and current HAP volunteers, please join us for a 1 hour virtual CLE – Ethical Considerations in Representing Clients Experiencing Homelessness – on December 11th from noon - 1 p.m.! Register here: https://morganlewis.webex.com/weblink/register/r6052e919413badd641ad1dce38fd6287.

HAP's Shevaun Brannigan is applauding everyone who made Saturday's HA HAs for HOMES a success! Thank you to Helium, all attendees, raffle entrants, Comcast Spectator, our comics, Wilder patrons and Wilder itself, as well as our donors of food items for South Philadelphia Community Fridge!

We can’t wait for HA HAs for HOMES tomorrow at 4 pm at Helium Comedy Club https://ow.ly/XR5c50XrOtH. Looking for something to do before or after the show? Wilder will be donating a portion of select cocktails and mocktails to HAP on 11/15. Check them out at https://ow.ly/5O3o50XrOtI.

Catch Betty Smithsonian at HAP’s HA HA for HOMES tomorrow at 4pm at Helium with other incredible comedians, including headliner Chanel Ali! Get $5 off your ticket with the code “Haha2” https://philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

Three days until HA HAs for HOMES! Check out Logan Malin and the other comics on Sat at 4pm at Helium Comedy Club. You can buy tickets here: https://ow.ly/8itu50XqMEt (get $5 off with code “Haha2”) and read more about this sure-to-be-hilarious afternoon of giving back to the community.

Honoring our nation’s veterans today — and every day. Nearly 33,000 veterans were tallied in the national 2024 Point-in-Time count as experiencing homelessness. HAP shares its gratitude both for these individuals, and our network of community partners who work to improve their circumstances.

Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) announces Mel Harris will be taking the place of Lamarr Todd this Saturday at our second HA HAs for HOMES! Tickets are still available for 11/15 at 4pm at Helium Comedy Club. https://philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

HAP would like to highlight the work of one of our former interns, Allison Nasson! She is doing big things at the Oregon Law Center for those who are experiencing homelessness out on the west coast. You can read more about it here: eastoregonian.com/2025/10/23/p...

HAP can't wait for its 2nd HA HAs for HOMES on 11/15 at 4pm at Helium Comedy Club! To make it even more exciting for the community, we're offering a chance to win (4) lower level Flyers Tickets (form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/homeles...), and holding a food drive for our neighbors!

HAP’s Legal and Advocacy Director spoke in support of Councilmember Rue Landau's resolution to raise awareness of the growing food and housing insecurity that many of our clients are facing due to the loss of SNAP benefits and other federal funding cuts. (2/2) @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social

Thursday, Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP), Bethesda Project and other advocates were invited to City Council by Councilmember Rue Landau to support Councilmember Landau's resolution recognizing November as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month in Philadelphia. (1/2) @ruephilacouncil.bsky.social

Just 2+ weeks to HA HAs for HOMES, our comedy benefit show at Helium Comedy Club. This next comedian spotlight is on Adam Flick, who shares his personal connection to HAP’s mission. Buy a ticket to see Adam and the other hilarious comics on 11/15 at 4pm. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

ALERT: Due to the federal government shutdown, public benefits for food assistance will not be issued until federal funds are released to the PA government. Many HAP clients will face significant food insecurity as a result. If you are in need of food during this time, visit www.phila.gov/food/.

HAP is counting down (just 3+ weeks) to HA HAs for HOMES, our comedy benefit show held at 4pm on 11/15 at Helium Comedy Club. Today we are profiling Amber Born, one of Philly’s finest. Read about her and then buy tickets STAT! Reserved seats are limited. philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

October marks the National Celebration of Pro Bono! Thank you to our volunteers whose dedication is invaluable to our mission of reducing the frequency and duration of homelessness in Philadelphia. Celebrate by getting involved! Contact Maggie Oberkircher ([email protected]) to learn more.

HA HAs for HOMES is back and less than a month away! We profiled our amazing headliner Chanel Ali, and asked her why laughter is important during challenging times. Read her answer and then see one of the hottest talents to come out of Philadelphia, LIVE! philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

HAP staff is eager to share a sampling of the photos taken at our annual benefit! Visit: www.haplegal.org/hap-annual-b... for more pictures from a very special evening. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible!

HA HAs for HOMES is BACK! On 11/15 at 4pm at @heliumcomedyphl.bsky.social, laugh it up at some of Philadelphia's finest comedians for an incredibly important cause--fighting homelessness. Tickets WILL move fast. Order yours today! philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com/shows/329965

hap.betterworld.org/giveaways/50... The raffle is up to $3,269! Enter today for a chance to win big, and a guarantee to make a difference. Drawing is 9/18 at 8pm. Enter early, enter often!

hap.betterworld.org/giveaways/50... HAP is holding its 50/50 raffle! Last year the pot went up to more than $7,000, and this year--with 16 days to go--we're already at $2,459! Please buy tickets to support people experiencing homelessness, and get a chance to win big money.

HAP’s work to reduce homelessness by helping clients address eviction judgments is featured in an article by Andrew Feigenbaum and Nancy Rimmer in the Philadelphia Bar Reporter this month.

HAP’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Homelessness

Join us September 18th 6pm – 8:30 pm at the African American Museum in Philadelphia for HAP's Annual Benefit! We will be celebrating our 35th year of being in service to Philadelphians experiencing or facing homelessness with the theme: “Changing Lives for 35!” www.classy.org/event/2025-h...

Our Summer Newsletter should be in your mailboxes! Read here for a digital version: www.haplegal.org/happening/su...

Check out our June volunteer spotlight, Benjamin Fischer from Klehr Harrison! Benjamin’s advocacy for a pro bono client who had exhausted all other options achieved an awesome result. Learn more here: www.haplegal.org/happening/ju....