FURNISHING HOPE .
RESTORING DIGNITY.
At Dwell House, our mission is to help to restore dignity and hope by transforming empty houses into warm, welcoming homes for families, veterans, and individuals transitioning out of homelessness into stable housing in Shelby County, Ohio and the surrounding communities.
Through community collaboration, volunteer efforts, and sustainable practices, we create personalized spaces that inspire stability, belonging, and a fresh start.
We believe that everyone deserves to love where they dwell, and we strive to create a world where all people can thrive in their homes and communities.
How It
Works
STEP 1: Receiving a Referral
We partner with local shelters, social service agencies, and community organizations to identify families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
STEP 2: Consultation & Planning
We meet with each family to understand their story, needs, and preferences, ensuring their new home reflects their unique situation and provides a fresh start.
STEP 3: Gathering Donations
We select items from our inventory of gently-used furniture and household item donations—everything from beds and dressers to kitchenware and décor—to create a comfortable, functional living space.
STEP 4: Dwell Day Transformation
A team of volunteers comes together to clean, furnish, and thoughtfully design the home in just one day. When the family returns, they step into a fully furnished, welcoming space that provides stability, dignity, and hope.
WHO IS
ELIGIBLE
We support individuals and families as they transition from homelessness to stable housing in Shelby County and surrounding communities.
Our services are available through referrals from our trusted partners, including shelters, churches, and human services organizations. There is no direct application process; instead, we work with these agencies to connect those in need with our assistance.
Want to be a referral partner?
→ Learn More
Ways To Get Involved
-
Donate
Give gently used furniture, home décor, kitchenware, and essentials to help furnish homes for families in need. Your donations create warm, welcoming spaces.
-
Volunteer
Join us for a Dwell Day to clean, furnish, and transform homes, or help with organizing and inventory behind the scenes. Every helping hand makes a difference!
-
Give
Make a one-time or recurring donation to fund essential items, moving costs, and program operations. Every dollar brings stability to a family’s new beginning.
-
Partner
Agencies, businesses, and community groups play a vital role in our mission. Refer families in need or sponsor a home transformation. Help us bring stability and dignity to those transitioning out of homelessness.
DWELL HOUSE IS A 501c3 non-profit organization.
All donations are 100% tax deductible in accordance with the law when no goods or services have been received by the donor.
WHY IT MATTERS
In 2024, 11,759 people in Ohio were experiencing homelessness.
That’s a 3% increase from the previous year. Nearly 10% of them are in Shelby County.
80% of Ohio’s homeless population is sheltered, meaning many individuals and families have access to resources that help them regain stability—job training, case management, financial assistance, and medical support. With time, many will become eligible for permanent housing, a huge milestone on their journey to independence.
But here’s the challenge: When they finally receive the keys to their new home, it’s often completely empty. After overcoming so many obstacles, families are faced with yet another burden—filling their space with the essentials they need to truly thrive.
That’s where Dwell House steps in.
We celebrate new beginnings by providing furniture, décor, and a fully functional home. We help families turn houses into places of healing, hope, and stability.
WHO WE ARE
Dwell House was inspired by an amazing organization called Humble Design out of Detroit. Many years ago, our founder Emily Ihle was working in Chicago as an Architectural Interior Designer, and learned about the mission of Humble Design. She knew that someday she would be able to make a similar impact on her community.
Fast forward to 2024, Emily and her family moved to the small town of Sidney, OH, and felt a pull to make a positive impact on the surrounding community. Emily started researching and networking, and the Dwell House dream started to come to fruition.
We have gained so much support and interest from this community, and we cannot wait to see where God leads us!
EMILY IHLE
Founder & CEO