A home offers more than just shelter — it's a sanctuary of safety, a hub for nourishment, and a space where we recharge surrounded by loved ones. Just as a home is built on strong foundations, thriving organizations are built on strong principles. At HOM, our foundation is the HOM Competency Model, a framework that defines the talent, values, and skills that drive our team's success. It guides our culture, fuels our mission to end homelessness, and shapes a community where people — our family, neighbors, and colleagues — enrich each other's lives with connection and meaning.

Our organization, like a home, thrives because of our remarkable team — our family. The unique blend of talent, passion, and values that define our team is no accident. Built on the "Four E's" — Emotional Intelligence, Excellence, Ethics, and Expertise — the HOM Competency Model ensures that our team continues to grow, serve, and innovate.

The competency model isn't just a guide—it's the foundation shaping how we work, recruit, and develop our team.

What Is the HOM Competency Model? 

For more than 30 years, HOM has been a leader in creating pathways out of homelessness in Arizona, offering programs like Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) that support thousands on their journey to housing stability. At the heart of our success lies the HOM Competency Model, a framework that defines the skills, behaviors, and values that drive our organization forward. 

The competency model is more than a set of guidelines — it's the blueprint for how we operate, hire, and grow. Centered on the "Four E's," it ensures every team member embodies the qualities that make HOM exceptional. This competency model helps us serve over 4,500 households each month with housing assistance. Since 2018, it has supported more than 12,000 people in transitioning out of homelessness. By embedding shared values into our culture, the HOM Competency Model empowers us to deliver innovative, partnership-driven solutions that transform lives.

Our competency model fosters a positive workplace that attracts top talent and guides employee behavior to streamline programs and deliver superior performance.

Breaking Down the Four E's 

The HOM Competency Model is built on four pillars: Emotional Intelligence, Excellence, Ethics, and Expertise. These guide how we interact with clients, partners, and each other to deliver our mission with integrity and impact. 

1. Emotional Intelligence 

Emotional Intelligence is the foundation of the HOM model, focusing on empathy and positive impact. Staff actively listen to participants, landlords, and colleagues, responding with compassion to build trust and make people feel valued. We maintain a positive attitude even in tough situations, strengthening relationships with partners and property owners. This empathy drives life-changing connections and higher customer satisfaction. 

2. Excellence 

Excellence at HOM is reflected through both quality and leadership. We work to be the very best in housing individuals and families with special needs, with each employee recognizing their responsibility to uphold our values. That commitment shows in our high standards for accuracy, customer care, confidentiality, financial management, and policy alignment — ensuring vouchers and leases are processed quickly and correctly. As industry leaders, our team advocates in the community and streamlines processes (e.g., reducing voucher wait times). This positions HOM as a trusted partner and delivers millions in monthly housing assistance across Arizona. 

3. Ethics 

Ethics is non-negotiable: we operate with honesty, respect, and accountability. Managing federal funds requires total integrity — providing accurate assistance, transparent reporting, and swift, honest problem-solving. We treat everyone with dignity, following the Golden Rule in every interaction. Resolving issues transparently with landlords, for example, reinforces trust and supports our mission to build stronger communities. 

4. Expertise 

Expertise at HOM reflects both our vision and our experience. In a fast-changing housing sector, we act decisively and adapt quickly — embracing new tools like Padmission's Journey and Connect platforms and responding to emerging opportunities. Our team's varied professional and personal experiences matched with ongoing training results in innovative solutions, such as using real-estate knowledge to speed lease negotiations. This keeps HOM effective and helps thousands secure permanent homes. 

The HOM Competency Model in action: training new hires to thrive and deliver excellence.

Why the HOM Competency Model Matters 

The HOM Competency Model is more than a framework — it's the heartbeat of our organization. It creates a nurturing, positive workplace that attracts and retains the "best of the best," as we proudly say at HOM. By guiding employee behavior, the competency model ensures superior performance, streamlining complex housing programs so our partners can focus on supporting people, not paperwork. 

The impact extends to our community. For nonprofits, partnering with HOM means less bureaucracy and more impact. For funders, it's confidence in a team that delivers results. We invite you to explore current opportunities on our Employment Page and join our mission to make homelessness a thing of the past. 

At HOM, we're not just dreaming of stronger communities — we're building them, one home at a time. Together, we're creating a future where every Arizonan has a place to call home. 

Learn more about our Competency Model on the Our Why page