Our History

The Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council (IHOC) was established in 1991 to provide critical

services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. From IHOC’s beginning,

IHOC’s primary focus was helping homeless men gain stability, become self-supporting, and

transition into permanent housing. This mission has been carried out through a variety of

programs, most notably our longstanding Transitional Housing Program and the Homeless

Hospitality Network

The cornerstone of our work was the Homeless Hospitality Network, an innovative and deeply

collaborative effort that brought together Camden County area congregations to host and support

unhoused men. Each year, 12 men were housed, through a rotating series of churches and

synagogues, while receiving overnight shelter, compassionate companionship, and case

management as they worked toward income and housing stability. Our Network was a powerful

expression of community in action, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers across faith traditions.

While the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled this program, its legacy continues to

inform our work and inspire our approach to transitional care.

IHOC’s Transitional Housing Program, first launched in 1994, has remained a consistent source

of hope and progress. We began operating out of a parish house in Lawnside, which was

graciously rented to us for $1 per year by the Chapel of the Annunciation. The Transitional

Program gave “Network graduates” a stable living environment with wraparound support for up

to a year. In time, the house became the Dambly House named for a long-time Board member

John Dambly. When the property was sold in 2017, after 23 years, the Transitional Program

found a new home in Cherry Hill, thanks to the generosity of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. To

this day the house on Chapel Avenue provides transitional housing and case management to three

men at a time, offering a vital next step toward independence.

Recognizing the growing need for transitional housing in Camden County, made even more

evident in the wake of COVID, IHOC took a bold step toward expansion. In August, 2024, we

acquired a property in Haddon Heights, now known as Serentiy House. This $1.4 million

endeavor represents a major leap of faith for our organization, but one we have embraced

wholeheartedly. Serenity House is now operational and will provide structured housing for up to

nine men who are in recovery, further expanding our capacity to offer meaningful, lasting

support.

In addition to our housing efforts, IHOC continues to support the broader community through

annual outreach initiatives. Out Adopt-A-Box campaign delivers personal care kits to area

shelters, while Pack-A-Sack provides backpacks filled with school supplies for children in need.

These programs allow volunteers and supporters of all ages to make a tangible difference in the

lives of those facing homelessness. Plus, these efforts are sustained by the Mall Walk for the

Homeless, our annual fundraising event.

IHOC remains stalwart in our mission, while inspired by the generosity of those who make this

work possible. With programs rooted in accountability, compassion, and community, we are

committed to building a future where everyone has a place to call HOME.