Family Promise of Blount County leads the way in ending child and family homelessness in Blount County and the surrounding region. Started in 2009 to meet the need of families experiencing homelessness, Family Promise has provided emergency shelter for more than 1,000 people, transitional housing for 40 families, and worked with all families as they have moved out into permanent housing through the “Going Home, Staying Home” program. All families are required to participate in intensive case management, which identifies challenges and barriers that affect a family’s ability to obtain/maintain housing. At this time, over 72% of families served have maintained permanent housing for 6 months after leaving Family Promise programs.