Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin Donates $5.6M Estate to Launch “Haven House”—First-Ever Luxury Shelter for Homeless Teens in Mississippi
Oxford, MS – June 27, 2025 — In a move that has stunned the college football world and sparked statewide admiration, Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin announced the donation of his $5.6 million Lafayette County estate to establish Haven House, the first-ever luxury transitional shelter dedicated to homeless and at-risk teens in Mississippi.
Standing on the sweeping front lawn of the 10-acre property — which includes a seven-bedroom modern farmhouse, a private lake, a full athletic facility, and a state-of-the-art media room — Kiffin spoke candidly about his decision.
“I’ve spent years coaching young men who were lucky enough to have structure, support, and opportunity,” Kiffin said, flanked by state officials and members of the Ole Miss community. “But not every kid gets that. This house gave me peace and purpose — it’s time it does that for someone else.”
The Vision Behind “Haven House”
Haven House will serve as a residential sanctuary for up to 24 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 who are experiencing homelessness, family abandonment, or aging out of foster care. The facility will offer more than just a roof over their heads — it’s designed to give them a launching pad for success.
The estate will be converted into a full-service transitional home offering:
Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms
On-site education pods with licensed tutors
Mental health and trauma counseling
Career prep and life-skills workshops
A chef-staffed communal kitchen serving healthy meals
A 24/7 staffed wellness and fitness center
The goal, according to program director Dr. Amani Wallace, is “to show these kids that stability, dignity, and ambition are not luxuries — they’re rights. We’re not sheltering them from life, we’re preparing them to thrive in it.”
From Playbooks to Purpose
The donation comes at a time when Kiffin is arguably at the peak of his coaching career. After leading Ole Miss to back-to-back New Year’s Six bowl appearances, he could’ve easily invested further into expanding his personal empire. But according to those close to him, this project has been quietly in the works since early 2024.
“Lane’s always been more complex than people think,” said close friend and former player Elijah Moore. “He’s got this sharp wit and wild edge, sure — but he’s got a massive heart. He sees these kids as the future, and this is how he’s investing in them.”
A Statewide Wake-Up Call
Mississippi has one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the Southeast, with more than 3,000 teenagers reported as either unhoused or in unstable living conditions in the past year. While there are shelters, few offer long-term stability — and none offer a standard of living remotely close to what Haven House promises.
Governor Rachel Bryant, who attended the announcement ceremony, praised Kiffin’s initiative. “This is bigger than football. This is what leadership looks like when it steps off the field and into the real world.”
What Comes Next
Renovations are already underway to repurpose the property’s pool house into a medical clinic and to transform the media room into a digital learning studio. Kiffin will live in a smaller property closer to campus but says he plans to remain actively involved in the project.
“This isn’t a photo op,” Kiffin added. “I want to be a mentor, a presence — maybe even a coach, just not for football plays, but for life.”
Haven House is set to open its doors by early 2026.
For now, the gates to Kiffin’s former estate remain closed — but soon, they’ll open to teens who never thought they’d see a future this bright.
One sign already hangs above the newly renovated entryway:
“You belong here.”
