FirstKey Homes Partners with HOPE Atlanta to Combat Homelessness in Georgia Year Round
As HOPE365 match donor, FirstKey Homes challenges community members to join the cause and amplify their impact.
Just as homelessness impacts entire communities — not just those directly affected — addressing it requires a community-wide effort. And while many people choose to give back at the end of the year, before tax deadlines, Georgians in need require support year-round.
HOPE365, HOPE Atlanta’s monthly giving program, aims to rally the community to spread HOPE automatically each month. This year, FirstKey Homes is partnering with HOPE Atlanta to help each new monthly donation have even more impact! Now through Friday, July 7th, FirstKey Homes will contribute another $200 for every new HOPE365 donor — up to $10,000.
This partnership is just one of the many ways the rapidly growing, Atlanta-based company is committed to giving back. We spoke with Carley Gaynes Blass, Senior Manager of Community Partnerships, to learn more about FirstKey Homes’ giving philosophy and culture.
Why did you choose to partner with HOPE Atlanta as HOPE365 match donor?
FirstKey Homes is proud to partner with HOPE Atlanta as a HOPE365 match donor. As a provider of homes across the country, we are eager to invest in solutions that are working toward eradicating homelessness and hunger. When we first engaged with HOPE Atlanta, we were particularly moved by the organization’s wraparound services that start with a housing-first approach. The breadth of services and year-round nature of HOPE Atlanta’s work inspired us to encourage others to get involved with giving back by participating in the HOPE365 match.
With our headquarters in the Atlanta area, we have an engaged employee base that is excited to get involved with HOPE Atlanta’s work across a variety of issues, including housing access, hunger, and veterans’ support. We’re proud to lead by example in our hometown and hope that other individuals and companies will join us in making a commitment to sustaining HOPE Atlanta’s work.
What are some other ways FirstKey Homes promotes a culture of giving back?
One of the things I am most proud of at FirstKey Homes is our employee value proposition that empowers our employees — also known as “Keypers” — to give back. In the last year, we have greatly expanded the opportunities for Keypers to get involved in their local communities through volunteerism and philanthropy.
Today, we offer every Keyper, regardless of role or location, 16 hours a year of paid time off to volunteer. This is an important way for our team across the country to plug into local organizations that are serving the communities where our residents and Keypers live, work and play. We also launched a new program in late 2022 called the Keypers’ Heart of Kindness which provides our Keypers with a new hire credit to donate to any cause of their choice, donation matching year-round and the opportunity to earn dollars to donate in exchange for logging volunteer time.
Although we are a relatively young company, we are proud to already have a robust culture of giving back and we expect this offering to continue to expand and grow in the years to come.
How does giving back align with your company’s mission?
Led by our mission to give our family of residents a place to call home, we are dedicated to giving back to the communities and neighborhoods that our thousands of homes are a part of. Our aim is to build strong, resilient communities that enable families to grow and thrive.
Our company has had an amazing growth journey, and as we have scaled across the United States, we have remained committed to doing the right thing for our residents, our employees, and our many communities. Our mission invites us to consider how we can make the dream of “a place to call home” more accessible to the many people living in the cities where we operate.
Nurturing local housing, hunger, and sustainability solutions by giving back time and funds enables critical community growth and resiliency, which creates a better society for all.
You’re committed to giving your family of residents a place to call home. Why do you think it’s important for all of our neighbors to have a place to call home?
Having a place to call home is not just a matter of shelter; it is about upholding human dignity. Housing provides essential stability and security for individuals and families, offering a safe space where people can rest, rejuvenate, feel a sense of belonging, and pursue daily life without fear or disruption.
A stable home environment also provides people with the confidence to focus on other aspects of their lives, such as education, employment, and personal growth. Housing is an entry point to so many other opportunities and everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live, regardless of their background or circumstances. Ensuring housing for all reflects the just and compassionate society we aspire to contribute toward.
At FirstKey Homes, we view our industry’s offering of single-family rental homes as a vital part of the housing solution as single-family rentals provide much-needed alternatives to traditional homeownership. Single-family rentals offer invaluable access to affordable, safe, and well-maintained homes in communities and schools that might not be available if home ownership is the sole price of entry.
The flexibility presented by single-family rental homes enables people to fulfill the dream of living in a single-family home without facing the high barriers to entry associated with the challenging and evolving economic environment.
What would you want people to know about homelessness, housing insecurity in our communities, and the importance of giving back?
Homelessness and housing insecurity impact the entire community, and addressing these issues requires collective responsibility. By giving back, whether, through volunteering, donations, or advocacy, we all can contribute toward creating positive change and improving the lives of those in need.
The impact of giving back extends far beyond immediate assistance. When we help individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, we not only address their immediate needs but also contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting long-term stability. We can empower people to regain control of their lives and become active contributors to society by providing those in need with support and opportunities.
And it feels good, too! Giving back is obviously beneficial for the recipients, but it is also very impactful for those who engage in acts of service and generosity. I have found personally that it provides a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and a deeper connection to the community. Volunteering with or supporting organizations working on housing issues is a great opportunity to learn, gain new perspectives, and develop valuable skills.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about FirstKey Homes and/or your partnership with HOPE Atlanta?
We are thrilled to be partners with HOPE Atlanta, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead to collaborate on solutions to address homelessness across Georgia.
Join FirstKey Homes in making a year-round impact!
When you join HOPE365 today with a monthly donation in any amount, FirstKey Homes will contribute another $200 — up to $10,000! Hurry — the match offer expires on Friday, July 7th at midnight!
