To understand the housing crisis for families in America, you have to look at two groups: families who are currently unhoused and those on the brink of it. 186k people in families experience homelessness on any given night in the United States. But there is a large group on the brink due to cost-burdened housing (where people pay more than 50% of their gross income on rent) and overcrowded housing, where 3.4 million households live.
Transitional housing is often assumed to be necessary just for previously incarcerated individuals, individuals undergoing addiction recovery, or former foster youth. In reality, the need is so much greater. Many families rely on these programs to secure permanent housing or as a safety net while finding an affordable housing option. In this article, we'll explore how transitional housing programs work and how they benefit families across America.
What is a Transitional Housing Program?
Transitional housing programs are designed to provide a temporary, safe, and affordable living situation for individuals and families who are homeless and are seeking independence in their domestic situations. Unlike emergency shelters, transitional housing provides residents with a longer-term place to stay (ranging from a few months up to two years), a structured environment, and supportive services.
These programs help a variety of people and families, including:
- Transitioning from jail or prison
- In a population group facing social acceptance challenges
- Out of an addiction treatment center
- Moving away from a mental health care facility
- Escaping from homelessness
- Struggling with a lack of secure shelter due to a recent crisis.
Transitional housing programs typically allow for up to 24 months of temporary residency, along with continuing services and programs, to help individuals stay on track after working so hard to regain their footing.
Types of Transitional Housing Programs
Transitional housing programs vary in structure and who they serve, but all aim to provide temporary, supportive environments that help people move from homelessness or institutional care to stable, independent living. The most common types of transitional housing are as follows.
General Transitional Housing
General transitional housing serves homeless families and individuals. It gives them temporary housing for up to 24 months. Caseworkers usually provide supportive services, such as case management, employment help, and counseling. Through this program, residents strive for permanent housing and to be able to take care of themselves without additional services.
The city of Los Angeles has used interim housing like this to bring more people off the street and into permanent housing. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the city brought 32% more people into interim housing, and, from there, 29% more into permanent housing.
Foster Youth Transitional Housing
Approximately 29% of unhoused youth have spent time in foster care. Programs like THP-NMD and THP-Plus provide supervised housing, life skills training, and support for current and former foster youth (ages 18-24) transitioning to adulthood.
Bridge Housing
Bridge housing is a short-term, transitional housing model that provides immediate, stable shelter and supportive services to individuals or families experiencing homelessness while they are in the process of securing permanent housing. The major difference between bridge housing and general transitional housing is the length of stay. Bridge housing is usually only offered for up to 90 days at a time.
In bridge housing, the goal is to get people into a safe housing situation as soon as possible. It prioritizes people who are close to moving into housing but need a little help to bridge the gap. This may include families and households already enrolled in permanent supportive housing who are waiting for a permanent unit to open up.
Residential Reentry Centers
Previously incarcerated individuals often stay at a residential reentry center upon release. There, caseworkers and other professionals create programs that help inmates create a fresh start. In these programs, professionals assist individuals with:
- Housing
- Substance abuse treatment
- Medical and mental health care
- Employment
What Are the Benefits of Transitional Housing for Families
The primary benefit of transitional housing is that families who are in a housing emergency have a safe and stable shelter while they are sorting out the issues that are at the root of their homelessness. Parents may need additional support for their children while they are figuring out a permanent housing solution, and transitional housing offers a safe solution and space.
Beyond safety and stability, other benefits that transitional housing provides families include:
- Reduced recidivism: Previously incarcerated parents and teenagers have access to safe housing with aid in mental health and employment assistance. When Milwaukee implemented housing first, municipal violations fell 82%.
- Relationship safety: Some people in transitional housing are escaping domestic violence, and transitional housing keeps them safe from harm.
- Disease prevention: Transitional housing provides families with access to sanitary living conditions and reduces the likelihood of disease and illness.
- Substance abuse recovery: Many of these programs provide professional social workers who are able to help connect individuals to life-saving services.
- Employment assistance: Many traditional housing programs offer assistance in job searches, resume preparation, and interviewing techniques.
How Does Transitional Housing Differ from Shelter Programs?
While often used interchangeably, there are differences between transitional housing programs and shelter programs. Shelter programs are designed to be very temporary and used in emergency situations. Their key purpose is to meet a family's basic needs for safety and survival. They only provide basic services, like items such as meals, showers, and a safe place to sleep. The sleeping arrangements are usually dormitory-style without privacy for individual families.
Transitional housing, while not intended to be permanent, is a step toward finding a more permanent housing solution. On top of meeting basic needs, it provides intensive support services like case management, life skills training, mental health counseling, and more. Families can have plans for each individual to address issues that help prevent them from securing housing.
State of Homelessness in 2024
While nonprofits and government agencies are doing important work to fight the homelessness crisis, the numbers are increasing. 18.1% more people experienced homelessness in 2024 than in 2023. According to HUD's report on homelessness:
- More than one in four people experiencing homelessness was under the age of 18.
- The states with the highest numbers of people experiencing homelessness were California and New York.
- 67.4% of all unsheltered individuals are men.
- On a single night in January 2024, 259,473 people in families with children experienced homelessness (the largest number since HUD started collecting data)
- The number of unhoused families with children went up 39% between 2023 and 2024.
These statistics highlight the stark need for affordable, safe housing options in America. Transitional housing helps bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing.
How Case Management Software Elevates the Work of Transitional Housing Programs
Case management software like PlanStreet works as a vital tool for transitional housing programs, improving their ability to support families moving from homelessness to permanent housing. Case management software provides customizable features that you can tailor to meet your nonprofit's daily operations, including:
- Centralized client data to allow each person working with a family to remain updated with crucial information.
- Automated intake processes through online forms simplify onboarding new clients, collecting necessary information like name, address, and phone number.
- Personalized planning tools such as needs assessments to develop a game plan for each family member.
- Easy-to-track scheduling and service planning with intuitive calendars and boards, so that case managers understand which services help the most.
- Analytics and reporting tools to spot trends over time and adjust services as needed.
Talk to a Transitional Housing Software Expert Today
Transitional housing programs are one essential component in a system of resources that helps the most vulnerable populations get back on their feet. With the aid of these programs, many families across the United States are in safe and stable housing situations that will ultimately change the course of their lives going forward.
Consider transitional housing software for your nonprofit to maximize every minute. PlanStreet's interface is easy to understand and works with your current processes to speed up administrative work and case planning. Learn more about how transitional housing software can elevate the work your nonprofit does, and talk to an expert today.