Bell County nonprofit opens eight new homes for homeless families

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) — The Bell County nonprofit, Family Promise of Bell County, has significantly expanded its ability to help homeless families with the addition of eight new homes that more than double its housing capacity.

The non-profit unveiled the new two-bedroom homes on Wednesday, marking the completion of a five-year project designed to provide additional support for families working toward permanent housing. The expansion allows the organization to house eight more families while they navigate the challenging process of finding stable accommodation.

“It’s a cool thing that to say that today we’re keeping our promise,” said Rucker Preston, the nonprofit’s executive director.

The new homes complement Family Promise’s existing Promise House shelter, where families can stay for 90 days at no charge while staff help them secure permanent housing. Families who complete the initial program but still need more time can now move into one of the eight new homes for an additional 90 days at $500 per month. According to Family Promise, that’s less than the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Temple is $1,200.

“When they work through our program and achieve all their goals and haven’t found safe, affordable housing just yet, this gives them a little more time and a new step towards independence before they become housed in the community,” Preston said.

Preston described the program’s impact on families, noting the transformation from “one of the hardest days of their lives” when they first arrive homeless to “one of the happiest days” when they graduate from the program and move into their own homes.

The expansion plays a crucial role in maintaining family unity during a difficult period. Preston emphasized that despite their circumstances, families receive dignified treatment throughout the program.

“Even though they are homeless, it doesn’t mean they should be treated less than,” Preston said. “The kids are treated so well that they never even know that they’re homeless while they’re here.”

Families will begin moving into the new homes next week. The program focuses on empowering families to achieve independence rather than creating dependency.

“That’s what it’s all about. Working with our families, empowering them to move forward and not doing more for them than they can do on their own, so they can succeed when they graduate from our program,” Preston said.

The Promise Homes are located across from the Promise House in Temple, Texas.

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