2024 Impact Report
Letter from the President
Dear Friends and Supporters,
2024 was a pivotal year for CLEAN Cause Foundation. As we deepened our commitment to transforming the recovery housing landscape, we shifted from a primary focus on recovery housing rental assistance stipends (called “scholarships” at that time) toward broader systems-level investments. This evolution allowed us to expand our reach, empower providers, and engage in evidence-informed technical assistance that strengthens the field.
In alignment with this evolution, we also embraced a new name — Cause CHANGE Collaborative (CCC). This change reflects the growth of our work beyond scholarships into broader, collaborative efforts that drive systemic change. The name underscores our belief that meaningful progress in recovery housing requires partnership, innovation, and a collective commitment to sustainability.
The need for safe, sustainable recovery housing is more urgent than ever. Our approach this year emphasized not only access but longevity—helping operators build capacity, connecting researchers and practitioners, and exploring new funding models that align mission with sustainability.
We are deeply thankful for our partners, grantees, collaborators, and community members who made this progress possible. Your support continues to fuel our purpose and impact.
With gratitude and hope,
Julie McElrath
President, Cause CHANGE Collaborative
RECOVERY HOUSING RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUMMARY
5,566
Rental Assistance Stipends provided since program inception
43 States
547 Cities across the U.S. have received support from CCF
25K+
# of Rental Assistance Stipend applications received
In 2024, the CLEAN Cause Foundation distributed 733 recovery housing rental stipends to 386 unique recovery homes in 227 cities in 21 states throughout the country. During that period, 12,357 complete rental stipend applications were received and just under 6% were funded.
Since the program's inception in 2016, 5,566 rental assistance stipends have been provided to 1,305 unique recovery homes, in 547 cities, in 43 states, throughout the country.
Beginning in 2022, the CLEAN Cause Foundation began tracking applications in a system known as REDCap. Since then, more than 25,500 complete rental stipend applications have been received and just under 8% have been funded. The REDCap migration allowed for more robust data collection, in tandem with the stipend program providing insight into the recovery housing system of care, through the completion of over 2,100 follow up surveys completed by stipend recipients and their recovery homes.
BUDGET STEWARDSHIP
We are committed to the highest standards of nonprofit stewardship, ensuring that the vast majority of resources entrusted to us are directed toward programs and research that strengthen recovery housing.
By keeping administrative costs lean and prioritizing mission-driven initiatives, we follow best practices in nonprofit management —maximizing impact while maintaining the accountability and infrastructure needed for long-term sustainability.
RECOVERY HOUSING SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT:
RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
In partnership with community advocates and the research team at The Addiction Research Institute at The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, the CLEAN Cause Foundation engaged the recovery housing community, facilitated participant involvement, and executed analyses as part of the Recovery Housing Sustainability (RHS) research project.
The project also established a consortium of experts across The University of Texas System to develop innovative business models that facilitate recovery housing sustainability. The two year project also generated empirical research to inform new policy initiatives that advocate for the sustainability of recovery housing organizations.
What’s Ahead: The results of the research project informed the development of the Recovery Housing Business Sustainability Toolkit. This toolkit, along with corresponding targeted technical assistance to improve the business sustainability of recovery homes, is the basis of a new program which will launch in2025 - The Recovery Housing Accelerator.
