furnish together: The National Furniture BANK Coalition
Our mission is to unite a network of member furniture banks to end furniture poverty & create dignified, well-furnished homes
Our mission is to unite a network of member furniture banks to end furniture poverty & create dignified, well-furnished homes
Across the country, local furniture banks do incredible work—but they’re often disconnected, under-resourced, and invisible in policy conversations.
Furnish Together exists to fix that. We’re building national infrastructure: shared logistics, data standards, advocacy tools, and visibility to scale impact and funding.
The national gap we’re closing:
Local furniture banks play a critical role in housing stability—filling homes, not just units. But without shared standards and support, their impact remains limited.
That’s where Furnish Together comes in—equipping, connecting, and amplifying the work of furniture banks nationwide.
We provide:
Whether you’re serving 30 families a year or 3,000, being part of a national network means you’re never starting from scratch.
When families exit homelessness into bare, unfurnished units, their housing journey remains incomplete.
Beds, tables, and couches aren’t luxuries—they’re the foundation of comfort, routine, and mental health. Without them, newly housed families are more likely to return to crisis.
Furniture is the difference between housing and a home.
"Research indicates that more than 60% of all families who live in poverty will experience furniture poverty in their lifetime."
"91% of families feel more stable once their home is furnished."
— A Wider Circle (2025)
Public housing programs routinely cover rent, construction, casework, and wraparound services. But furniture is almost never included—despite being essential to stability, health, and dignity.
Less than 1% of housing support dollars cover furnishings.
— Furnishing Government-Supported Housing: A Deep Dive (2025)
That gap leaves newly housed families sleeping on floors, eating on crates, and returning to shelters at higher rates.
For about $1,000, local furniture banks can fully furnish a home.
That includes beds, tables, dressers, and essential housewares—delivered with dignity.
Furniture reduces returns to homelessness by up to 50%.
— Furnishings, Mental Health, and Homelessness Recurrence (2025)
Small shift. Massive return.
Whether you're a local furniture bank, a policymaker, or a partner ready to make an impact—we want to hear from you.
Local Banks: Become a Member
Supporters & Allies: Partner With Us
Lawmakers & Staffers: Let’s Fund What Works
Contact us below and let’s build a furnished future—together.
Philip R Washburn
President and CEO
Furniture Bank of Central Ohio
Columbus, OH
Copyright © 2025 Furnish Together - All Rights Reserved.
118 South Yale Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43222
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