Discover the House in a Box™ Program
Helping Disaster Survivors Rebuild Their Homes
The House in a Box™ program is a nationally recognized disaster recovery initiative developed by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) following Hurricane Katrina. We provide families forced into situational poverty by natural disasters with brand-new furniture and essential home goods. Our goal is to restore dignity to families in crisis, offering them a fresh start and empowering them to rebuild their lives.
How the Program Works
Funding for House in a Box™ relies on community donations and grants. To make sure help reaches those who need it most, we use a strict Disaster Case Management process.
Please note: St. Vincent de Paul Disaster Services does not give kits directly to individuals. Instead, the program is managed at the local level by:
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Local St. Vincent de Paul Councils and Conferences.
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Long Term Recovery Groups in disaster impacted areas.
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Certified Disaster Case Managers who vet and submit applications on behalf of survivors.
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State VOAD or local COAD organizations
Our Program Model
We operate a unified, fully virtual model to meet the needs of vulnerable disaster survivors, heavily prioritizing low-income households, those with special needs, and people on fixed incomes.
Working with national and international partners, this digital approach focuses on transparency, data sharing, and accessibility. It allows marginalized communities to easily access resources and funding, increasing support for both survivors and local organizations. Through this model, we purchase new furniture and furnishings in bulk from trusted vendors, allowing us to build complete household kits at highly discounted prices, starting at about $5,000 for a family of four. SVDP Disaster Services handles all the logistics behind the scenes.
Delivery Logistics
Through our transportation partner, Estes, all home goods are delivered together on pallets. Items are brought directly into the first floor of the home or the garage to make moving in as easy as possible.
What is Inside the House in a Box™ kit?
Each package gives families the standard, new items they need to live comfortably. This is a complete home essentials kit and is not available to be broken up. Kits include:
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Beds and linens
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Dressers
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Dishes, silverware, and cookware
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Dining room sets
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A comfortable couch
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Bathroom essentials
Important Eligibility Guidelines
House in a Box operates across the United States, but kits are not available in all disaster zones.
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Funding Dependent: Starting a program requires local community support and fundraising. Kit availability depends directly on local community funding.
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Grant Rules: To qualify, a survivor must have experienced a disaster in a specific state that is covered by our current project funding.
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Vetting: Priority goes to those in dire need, determined solely by the Disaster Case Management process and cases are reviewed and submitted at the local level with prior agreed upon community partners.
Get Involved or Get Help
Sponsor a Family
Join us in our mission by sponsoring a family. Your support helps a family replace what they lost and rebuild their life. https://www.svdpdisaster.org/donate
Agency and Council Inquiries
If you are an SVDP Council, Long Term Recovery Group, NGO, or local government agency with questions about the program, please email us at: Houseinabox@svdpdisaster.org
Individuals Seeking Assistance
If your family needs disaster assistance, please contact the Vincentian community in your local area. Your local St. Vincent de Paul Conference is the best place to start for direct support.