What Organization Is Helping to Prevent Homelessness in Arkansas?

Every night in Arkansas, more than 2,800 people sleep without a stable roof over their heads. That’s not just a number-it’s families, veterans, teens aging out of foster care, and seniors on fixed incomes who’ve run out of options. The question isn’t whether homelessness exists in Arkansas-it’s who’s stepping in to stop it before it starts.

Arkansas Coalition to End Homelessness Leads the Way

The Arkansas Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) is the most active statewide organization focused on preventing homelessness before it happens. Founded in 2012, ACEH doesn’t just run shelters. It works with local governments, landlords, and social service agencies to create systems that keep people housed.

One of their key programs is the Rapid Re-Housing Initiative. Instead of waiting for someone to become homeless and then offering a bed, ACEH provides short-term rental assistance, security deposit help, and case management to families at risk of eviction. In 2024, this program helped over 1,100 households in Arkansas avoid homelessness entirely. That’s 1,100 families who didn’t have to sleep in cars, shelters, or on couches.

They also run the Homeless Prevention Hotline-a free, 24/7 phone line anyone can call if they’re behind on rent, facing utility shut-off, or just scared they might lose their home. Callers are connected with local resources within 15 minutes. Last year, 78% of people who called the hotline stayed housed after receiving support.

How ACEH Works With Local Agencies

ACEH doesn’t operate in isolation. They’ve built a network of over 60 local partners across the state-from Little Rock to Fort Smith, from Jonesboro to El Dorado. These include county human services offices, faith-based groups, legal aid clinics, and even local housing authorities.

For example, in Pulaski County, ACEH teamed up with the county’s housing authority to create a Landlord Incentive Program. Landlords who rent to people with histories of housing instability get help covering damages, guaranteed rent payments for the first three months, and legal support if eviction becomes necessary. Since the program launched in 2023, landlord participation has increased by 45%, and evictions for low-income renters dropped by 32%.

In rural areas like Baxter County, where public transportation is limited and shelters are miles away, ACEH funds mobile outreach vans. These vans carry case workers, hygiene kits, and application help for SNAP, Medicaid, and housing vouchers. They visit towns once a week-meeting people where they are, whether it’s under a bridge, at a gas station, or in a trailer park.

Why Prevention Works Better Than Shelters Alone

Shelters are essential. But they’re a bandage, not a cure. A person sleeping in a shelter tonight might be back on the street in two weeks if nothing changes.

ACEH’s data shows that for every $1 spent on prevention, the state saves $4.30 in emergency services-police calls, hospital visits, jail stays, and temporary housing. That’s why they focus on early intervention: helping someone pay a $300 utility bill before their power gets cut, or negotiating with a landlord to delay rent for a month while someone waits for a job offer.

They also train social workers, school counselors, and even pharmacists to spot warning signs. A teenager who’s been living with a friend for months? A senior who just lost their spouse and can’t afford the mortgage? These aren’t “homeless people”-yet. But with the right support, they never become one.

Other Key Players in Arkansas

While ACEH leads the statewide effort, other organizations play vital roles:

• Arkansas Homeless Coalition focuses on advocacy and policy change, pushing for state funding increases and tenant protection laws.
• Salvation Army Arkansas operates 12 emergency shelters and provides meals, job training, and mental health counseling.
• St. Vincent de Paul of Arkansas helps with rent, utility payments, and transportation costs for families on the edge.
• Arkansas Foodbank Network partners with shelters to provide groceries and nutrition support, recognizing that hunger and housing are deeply linked.

But none of them have the same statewide reach or prevention-focused model as ACEH. Most shelters respond to crisis. ACEH tries to stop the crisis before it happens.

How You Can Help

Supporting prevention doesn’t always mean donating money. Here’s what actually moves the needle:

• Volunteer as a phone screener for the Homeless Prevention Hotline-no experience needed, just a phone and compassion.
• Donate gently used household items-beds, linens, kitchen supplies-that ACEH gives to families exiting homelessness.
• Advocate for local housing policies-attend city council meetings and ask about rental assistance funds.
• Spread the word-share the hotline number (1-833-522-3672) with neighbors, coworkers, and church groups.

One of the biggest myths is that homelessness is too big to fix. But ACEH’s work proves otherwise. In 2024, Arkansas saw a 17% drop in chronic homelessness-the largest one-year decline in the state’s history. That didn’t happen by accident. It happened because people came together with a plan: stop it before it starts.

What Happens If You Call?

If you or someone you know is struggling to pay rent, utilities, or medical bills, calling the Arkansas Homeless Prevention Hotline (1-833-522-3672) doesn’t mean you’re admitting defeat. It means you’re looking for help before things get worse.

When you call, you’ll speak with a trained outreach worker-not a bureaucrat. They’ll ask simple questions: How much do you owe? When is the deadline? Do you have a job? Are you on any assistance programs? Then, within minutes, they’ll connect you with local aid. Sometimes it’s a check. Sometimes it’s a phone call to your landlord. Sometimes it’s just someone listening.

There’s no waiting list. No paperwork. No judgment. Just help.

What’s Next for Arkansas?

ACEH is pushing for a new state law in 2026 that would create a $10 million annual fund for housing stabilization. If passed, it would allow them to scale their prevention programs statewide and hire 50 more case workers.

Right now, demand still outpaces supply. In 2024, the hotline received over 22,000 calls-nearly 60 a day. For every person they helped, two more were turned away because funding ran out.

The solution isn’t more shelters. It’s more prevention. More early intervention. More people who know that homelessness isn’t inevitable-it’s preventable.

Final Thought

Homelessness isn’t a personal failure. It’s a system failure. And systems can be fixed. In Arkansas, the people at ACEH are proving that with the right tools, the right support, and the right timing, no one has to sleep outside. The question isn’t whether we can end homelessness here-it’s whether we’re willing to act before it’s too late.