Locally, IHN was created in 1999 by a group of concerned citizens who responded to the critical need for an emergency shelter for homeless families. While other homeless shelters did exist in Fort Wayne, none had the capacity to provide emergency shelter that would keep the entire family together. Homeless families had been forced to separate with the women and children in one location and men at a separate shelter. IHN's goal is to work with families to return them to self-sufficiency, keeping the family unit together throughout the process. The integrity and worth of the family are cherished hallmarks of the hospitality of the IHN program.

Until the completion of the Vann Family Center in November of 2009, local churches were recruited to provide space within their facility to house families during the evenings and to provide volunteers to bring evening meals for the families. This provided a personal human component that provides meaningful benefits to both the homeless families served and the volunteers serving.

Now that the Vann Family Center is finished, Families live together in one place for the duration of their stay at IHN. While the previous model worked and served families very well, being able to remain in one location has made it easier on the families beign served, especially the children. Host congregations still come to the Vann Family Center to provide evening meals and fellowship with our guests.