Family Emergency Housing
Who is this program for?
The Family Emergency Housing was built in 2024 to address urgent housing needs and support families in transitioning from homelessness into safe, stable, and affordable permanent housing. The project includes four individual units: two three-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. Together, these units serve up to four families—approximately 20 individuals—at any given time. Families may stay for one to three months, or until permanent housing is secured.
The development of individual emergency housing units is rooted in RTH’s commitment to providing a safe, healthy, and trauma-informed environment—especially for children. Experiencing homelessness is potentially traumatizing for anyone. For young children, however, exposure to trauma during critical developmental stages can have profound and lasting consequences. There is often a narrow window of opportunity to address trauma before its effects become deeply embedded and more difficult to overcome.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study found that childhood trauma is strongly linked to lifelong negative outcomes in both physical and mental health. Children who experience instability, violence, or chronic stress face significantly higher risks of depression, substance use disorders, chronic disease, and other serious challenges in adulthood.
Providing emergency housing that prioritizes safety, privacy, and stability is essential to reducing the risk of additional trauma. Traditional congregate shelters—where families may share dining spaces, bathrooms, or sleeping areas with unrelated adults—can unintentionally expose children to unsafe or inappropriate situations. In contrast, individual family units offer privacy, dignity, and a greater sense of security. This environment promotes emotional stabilization and creates space for families to focus on long-term housing goals.
How do I apply for this program?
To apply for this program, you must initiate the process by calling 211. If you have any questions, please call Gretchen Ray at 218-735-6322 (office) or 218-750-4796 (cell).