• JOIN has been and always will be organic; "living, evolving" - because no one has all the answers.
• Organizational simplicity - because responding to complex issues such as homelessness requires flexibility and creativity.
• JOIN's philosophy is one of inclusion, restoring connections and rebuilding community - because the experience of being without a home is one of dehumanization, degradation and alienation.
• Homeless people themselves must be the primary agents of change - because paternalistic approaches are devoid of respect and devalue the strengths of homeless people upon which long term stability depends.
• Relationships rather than rules - because in the end, it's about people.