While homelessness in Montgomery County has risen 160% since 2022, the nonprofit Bethesda Cares had what it is calling “a record-breaking year” for helping unsheltered people get into and stay in permanent housing.
Bethesda Cares is one of more than 20 organizations that share a mission to end homelessness in Montgomery County. These nonprofits operate under the umbrella of the Continuum of Care.
Like the county, Bethesda Cares believes in a housing first philosophy, offering permanent housing with social support systems to individuals as they transition from the streets and emergency shelters.
Last year, the organization guided 60 people into permanent housing and achieved a 98% housing retention success rate, according to John Mendez, the nonprofit’s executive director. That means the people the organization is placing are staying there, he explained.
“Permanent housing, paired with professional staff who know how to navigate housing systems, is the most effective solution to homelessness,” said Mendez. “When housing resources work for people, they engage … and they succeed.”
He added, “Every key unlocks a future, and landlord partnerships have been a critical element of our success.”
“These outcomes reflect our commitment to ensuring individuals and families have the opportunity to live successfully in the community as our neighbors,” he said.
When Bethesda Cares staff ask people experiencing homelessness what they want, “Most of them say I just need a place to live, and we are delivering on that,” Mendez said. He called permanent housing “the obvious answer.”
Operating throughout Montgomery County, Bethesda Cares offers housing subsidy assistance programs and personalized support. The organization accelerates the leasing process and helps the new tenant gain long-term stability, explained Mendez.
“We believe every person deserves dignity, respect, and access to housing that allows them to live successfully in the community … such as an apartment or studio,” said Deborah Taylor, Bethesda Cares program director. “Many individuals and veterans we serve have experienced profound trauma, often compounded by barriers to housing and healthcare. These realities shape a response that prioritizes permanent housing stability and coordinated care.”
About three-quarters of the money used for leases comes through federally-funded subsidies. The rest is appropriated by Montgomery County.
The chart below reflects a breakdown on the backgrounds of the people who Bethesda Cares housed last year.
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