Our Why
At HOM, our purpose is simple: to help people build stronger, healthier futures by ensuring they have a safe place to call home. But “why” we do this work is only part of the story. Equally important is how we do it — the shared values, skills, and behaviors that shape our culture and fuel our mission to end homelessness.
This is where the HOM Competency Model comes in. It’s the foundation of who we are, how we work, and why HOM remains a place like no other.
What Is the HOM Competency Model?
Just as a home provides stability and belonging, the HOM Competency Model provides the structure that helps our team thrive. This competency model is a carefully built framework that defines the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for success in every role across our organization.
It moves beyond job descriptions and focuses on the how — how we serve our clients, how we support our partners, how we collaborate with each other, and how we uphold the standards that make HOM an industry leader.
For more than 30 years, HOM has helped thousands of Arizonans access stable housing through programs like Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Re-Housing (RRH). Central to this impact is our competency model, which ensures every team member contributes to our culture of service, innovation, and integrity.
Our model is built on four pillars known as The Four E’s — the compass that guides every interaction and every decision we make.
The Four E’s of the HOM Competency Model
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is the heart of our competency model. It means approaching every individual — whether a program participant, landlord, or coworker — with empathy, patience, and respect.
We listen intentionally. We respond with compassion. We build trust by showing people they matter.
This emphasis on emotional intelligence strengthens every relationship in the HOM community and ensures that people who walk through our doors feel heard, valued, and supported.
Excellence
Excellence is our commitment to doing things the right way, every time.
It means holding ourselves to the highest standards in accuracy, confidentiality, compliance, and service. From processing payments to collaborating with partners, we strive to deliver results that make a measurable impact.
As industry leaders, we innovate, improve processes, and set new standards for what effective housing programs can look like in Arizona and beyond.
Ethics
Ethics is our non-negotiable.
We manage federal funds with transparency and integrity, honor our commitments, and communicate honestly — even when challenges arise.
We treat every person with dignity and respect, recognizing the unique strengths and experiences they bring.
This ethical foundation builds trust with program participants, community partners, and the many stakeholders who depend on HOM.
Expertise
Expertise reflects our commitment to continuous learning, adaptability, and the diverse backgrounds that make our team strong.
We evolve with the needs of the housing landscape, leveraging technology, real-world experience, and specialized training to improve our programs and outcomes.
Whether navigating market changes or adopting new tools like Padmission’s Journey and Connect software, our expertise drives innovation and supports our mission.
Why the HOM Competency Model Matters
Our competency model is more than a framework — it’s our culture in action.
It shapes how we show up for our community and for each other.
It helps us attract and retain dedicated professionals who share our vision for a stronger Arizona.
And it ensures that every process, partnership, and program is rooted in fairness, empathy, accuracy, and innovation.
Thanks to the principles in this model, HOM helps more than 4,800 households every month and has supported over 12,000 individuals in exiting homelessness since 2018. Our competency model is the reason we can streamline complex housing systems and allow our partners to focus on what matters most: supporting people.
This is Our Why.
This is who we are.
And this is how we’re working — every day — to build communities where everyone has a place to call home.
