Interest in the Hope House of Sedona project for the homeless has generated a host of frequently asked questions (FAQs). These questions fall into the following categories:
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Giving & Tax Credits
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Impressions and attitudes regarding homelessness in general
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The background of Hope House project—its purpose, support and sustainability
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Hope House residents and operation
1. Giving & Tax Credit FAQs
Q: Is it still helpful to donate now that the year has ended?
A:Yes. While the tax year may be closed, donations made in the new year are just as impactful—and urgently needed. Ongoing support allows Hope House of Sedona to provide stable housing, meals, care coordination, and transition support for families throughout the year.
Monthly gifts, one-time donations, and in-kind contributions all play a critical role in sustaining our work.
Q: What is the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit?
A:The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit allows Arizona taxpayers to donate to a qualified nonprofit and receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on their Arizona state taxes for the year in which the donation is made.
Hope House of Sedona is a Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO) under Arizona law.
Q: What is Hope House of Sedona’s QCO code?
A:QCO Code: 22587
This code is used when filing your Arizona state tax return to claim the credit.
Q: How much can I receive as a tax credit?
A: For donations made during the tax year, Arizona taxpayers may be eligible for a credit of up to:
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$495 for single filers
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$987 for married couples filing jointly
These amounts are set by the State of Arizona and may change annually.
Q: Is this a tax deduction or a tax credit?
A: It is a tax credit, not just a deduction.
A tax credit directly reduces the amount of Arizona state tax you owe, dollar for dollar.
Q: Can I claim this credit in addition to other Arizona tax credits?
A: Yes. The Charitable Tax Credit is separate from school and foster care tax credits. Many Arizona taxpayers are eligible to claim all three, depending on their individual tax situation.
Q: When do I need to make my donation?
A: To qualify for a specific tax year’s Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, the donation must be made during that tax year.
For example:
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A donation made in 2026 may be claimed on your 2026 Arizona state tax return (filed in 2027).
Q: What if I am 73 or older and required to take an RMD?
A: If you are age 73 or older, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to Hope House of Sedona. This can satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution while reducing taxable income.
To qualify, funds must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to Hope House of Sedona.
Q: Are donations to Hope House of Sedona tax-deductible?
A: Yes. Hope House of Sedona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax benefits depend on individual circumstances.
Q: How else can I support families besides making a cash donation?
A: There are many meaningful ways to help:
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Set up a monthly recurring gift
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Make an in-kind donation of household items (by appointment)
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Sponsor a grocery trip, gas card, or mattress for a family transitioning into permanent housing
Each form of support helps families move from crisis to stability.
Q: Will I receive a receipt for my donation?
A: Yes. Hope House of Sedona provides a donation receipt for your records. We encourage donors to consult a tax professional regarding individual tax benefits.
Q: How do donations make a difference?
A: Donations support safe housing, meals, care coordination, and individualized transition planning for mothers and children experiencing homelessness in Sedona and the Verde Valley. Our focus is on short-term stabilization and long-term independence.
2. Impressions and attitudes regarding homelessness
Q: Why do you think there are homeless children in Sedona? I haven’t seen any.
A: Children experiencing homelessness are often hidden from view. Families do everything they can to stay out of sight—sleeping in cars, overcrowded housing, garages, or temporarily staying with others—so their children can remain safe and enrolled in school.
The 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, conducted as part of the federally required homelessness assessment, confirms that families with children experiencing homelessness are present in Sedona and the surrounding Verde Valley. Local school district data and service providers consistently report that these numbers are undercounted, particularly for families and children.
Hope House of Sedona exists specifically to serve this population. Each year, we receive ongoing requests for assistance from working parents with children who are unable to secure safe housing locally. These families are part of our community—even when they are not immediately visible.
Q: There are services for people experiencing homelessness in Cottonwood. Why don’t Sedona families go there?
A: While Cottonwood provides important services, geography and daily realities matter—especially for families with children.
Many families experiencing homelessness in Sedona:
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Work locally
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Have children enrolled in Sedona schools
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Lack reliable transportation, gas money, or a functioning vehicle
For these families, commuting daily to Cottonwood is often not feasible. Displacement can mean children changing schools, parents losing employment, and families becoming further destabilized.
Hope House of Sedona fills a critical gap by providing temporary residential housing in the community where families already live, work, and attend school, helping them stabilize and transition into permanent housing without uprooting their lives.
Q: I’m an average Sedona citizen and I don’t want my tax dollars going toward homelessness services.
A: It’s reasonable to want transparency and accountability in how public funds are used.
Hope House of Sedona is primarily funded through private donations, grants, foundations, and community organizations. While we have received limited public funding for specific purposes, the majority of our operating support comes from community-based philanthropy.
Importantly, providing short-term housing and stabilization for families often reduces long-term public costs. When families have safe shelter:
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Emergency room visits decrease
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Reliance on police and emergency services is reduced
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Children maintain school stability
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Parents are better able to maintain employment
Hope House is designed as a temporary, goal-oriented housing program—a “hand up,” not a handout. Families work with staff and partner agencies to build savings, secure housing, and regain stability.
For the safety of residents and neighbors, Hope House maintains clear expectations:
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No drugs or alcohol permitted
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No loitering or disruptive behavior allowed
Our focus is helping families move from crisis to stability as efficiently and responsibly as possible.
3. Background of Hope House project—its purpose, support and sustainability.
Q: Is Hope House a part of The Church of the Red Rocks (CRR)?
A: The concept for Hope House was initiated as a mission outreach of CRR. However, the project has now extended to a community effort—working with a consortium of faith groups, businesses and other organizations willing to collaborate with us. We see the need for this project to be “owned” by the entire Sedona/Verde Valley community. Hope House has been incorporated as a non-profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Hope House is a separate entity from CRR.
Q: What is the purpose of building a homeless shelter in Sedona?
A: Hope House will not be what one generally thinks of as a “homeless shelter,” but rather a comprehensive housing program and meals for children and their families.
Our Original Vision Statement was: A temporary home for Sedona’s most vulnerable children.
Our Original Mission Statement was: Providing hope for Sedona’s homeless families.​​
Q: What are your objectives?
A: Hope House Objectives are:
– Provide temporary/bridge housing for homeless children and their parents (guardians) who are living in Sedona.
– Develop transition plan programs with homeless guests so they achieve successful outcomes.
As these objectives are achieved, it is the expectation that families have a plan to move forward to transition into adequate affordable housing, and have their lives and futures changed in a positive way. ​​
Q: In order to sustain an ambitious project like this you are going to need lots of money! Where will the financial support come from?
A: Yes, it will take lots of money to sustain the operation of residential, temporary housing for homeless families in Sedona! To adequately fund the operation of Hope House, we need the support and generosity of the entire Sedona community—congregations, organizations, and individuals. With our non-profit 501(c)(3) status, we will be able to broaden recruitment of funds throughout the business community in Sedona/Verde Valley. Hope House of Sedona has received certification as a Qualifying Charitable Organization in Arizona. Donors may use the QCO Code: 22587 to utilize the Arizona Tax Credit.
4. Potential Residents and Projected Operation
Q: Who are Hope House’s potential residents?​
A: Potential residents – in priority order according to vulnerability:
– Children (infant through middle school age) with parent(s) or guardian(s)
– Youth (high school with parent(s) or guardian(s) ​​
Q: Will you be doing background checks on people staying at Hope House?​
A: Yes. Homeless families go through an eligibility process in order to live at Hope House. They work on a transition plan with the help of our Support Coordinator and Household Skills Coordinator, volunteer coaches, and other organizations. The on-site House Attendant monitors families and their living quarters. There is a “no firearms and weapons allowed” policy in force. ​​
Q: How long can people stay at Hope House?​
A: That will be determined on a case-by-case basis. We ask residents to make a commitment of at least six months, but they can stay up to two years if they are meeting goals and the situation calls for a longer stay.
Q: Will you provide other services besides shelter?​
A: In addition to providing three meals a day, we provide a comprehensive housing program. They work on a goals plan with the Support Coordinator. We can’t over emphasize that the goal of the housing of any family is expected to be “temporary.” Every effort will be made to eventually see each family in some kind of permanent housing. ​​
Q: What will you do about food for your residents?​
A: Manzanita Outreach, Sedona Food Bank, and other organizations have generously offered to supply food. All food will be provided free of charge to the residents. Three meals a day will be available. Christ Lutheran Church provides a grant for groceries.​​
Q: Will you be using Volunteers to help operate and support Hope House?​
A: Yes. Volunteers from the community as a whole are being actively recruited. We encourage any person wishing to work with us to contact us at: info@hopehouseofsedona.org
Artwork by Sedona Red Rock Junior High 7th and 8th graders