Transitional Living Program
Housing Program for Homeless Families

This office is located at:
926 G Street, Eureka
Open 1-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
Closed holidays

Families are referred to this program through the Emergency Shelter Program (ESP) office and various service providers throughout the community. This program is housed in two transitional homes in confidential locations, prioritized for families. It is based on a family strengths model with the goal of family self-sufficiency.
Length of stay is determined, on a month-to-month basis, by clients’ willingness to comply with program rules and follow through with their action plan. Federal regulations limit a person’s maximum stay in the program to no more than 24 months.

Bridge House is a large Victorian that serves as an entry home for 5 one- and two-parent families and, if space permits, pregnant women. Bridge House offers structure and stability to families who are ready to assume more responsibility for developing their strengths and life skills. This program's roots are in the belief that each family can attain the skills and information necessary to make the most informed decisions concerning their family's welfare. It is NOT a 24-hour staffed program and relies on the guests for daily maintenance of the home, sharing of chores, and the building of a support system or "extended family" for the well-being of the home.

During their stay, each family will be matched with a case manager who will assist in individual and family assessment. Short- and long-term goals will be established and weekly progress charted. During this time, families are expected to participate in a variety of classes including:

• Money management strategies
• Problem solving
• Conflict management
• Health and nutrition
• Parenting
• Stress reduction

Safe Haven is Humboldt County's only long-term transitional home for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Here the program provides a safe, nurturing place for women and children to begin to identify their strengths and rebuild their dreams. Like Bridge House, Safe Haven houses 5 families, is not a 24-hour staffed program and relies on residents for shared chores and daily maintenance. Families are matched with a case manager to help them set goals and track progress. Clients are expected to attend classes on topics such as:

• Health and nutrition
• Well-being
• Self-care
• Family communication
• Communication building
• Stress management
• Anger management
• Conflict resolution
• Legal advocacy
• Money management
• Budgeting
• Educational planning
• Job development skill
• Linkages to the community

The Transitional Living Program also has two single-family “satellite” houses, the Annex and Second Step. These are smaller one-and two-bedroom homes where families can continue to develop and demonstrate their self-sufficiency skills with more independence. Here, a family's stay is determined by how well they are meeting their goals and applying newly acquired skills prior to leaving the program.