Barnabas House

Barnabas House Opening Soon!

Thanks to our supporters, Redemption Housing is excited to announce the purchase of a facility for Barnabas House: a four-bedroom house in West Philadelphia across the street from our existing Locust House facility. The property has been largely refurbished already, though we will have some additional refurbishment work to do as well as some work to adapt it to our program needs.

We ask for your continued support as we raise $30,000 to cover the remaining refurbishment required and other startup costs for the program.

(Note: for those with immediate housing needs, see our Locust House program.)

Why “Barnabas House”?

How would you respond if a “scary” returning citizen (first-degree murderer) began attending at your local church, someone whom no one else wanted anything to do with because of his past? Would you invite him to dinner? Would you ask him to join your circle of peers, even when people discouraged you from doing so?

Joseph did. The returning citizen was the Apostle Paul. If you do not remember Joseph, it is because he was often called by his nickname, Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” Redemption Housing’s first residence, Barnabas House, will exist to encourage and support returning citizens.

Barnabas House Program

According to a nationwide study in 2005, more than a third of returning citizens who are arrested within five years of their release are arrested within the first 6 months, with more than half arrested by the end of the first year. These statistics point to the need for safe and supportive communities where returning citizens are able to further their rehabilitation and decrease their likelihood of recidivism. Unfortunately, recovery homes often have procedures and policies in place which screen out returning citizens. Therefore, many returning citizens have been “falling through the cracks,” forced to turn to emergency homeless shelters due to this lack of reentry support. 

Instead of abandoning them, Barnabas House will invite those who are transitioning from incarceration back into community. Redemption Housing believes that returning citizens require support circles to properly break free of crime, addiction, and homelessness. Barnabas House will offer this support.

Our program is committed to:

• Affirming the humanity of residents through a safe and nurturing environment.

• Creating a comfortable home while sustaining substance-free premises.

• Inviting personal change with a focus on individualized short-term and long-term goals for residents.

• Encouraging participation in a faith-centered and diverse community life.