Transitional housing is a temporary place for people to stay while they work on moving into a permanent home. It offers support, like help finding a job or learning new skills, to help them get back on their feet. People can stay there for a longer time than a shelter. Transitional housing is different from a crisis bed or an emergency shelter. HOPE Transitional Housing is not a crisis bed/emergency shelter. Shelters are short-term places where people go when they need help right away, like during an emergency.

People can stay in transitional housing for a longer time than in a shelter, up to a year. This gives them enough time to work on goals like finding a job, saving money, or learning skills to live independently. The exact length of stay depends on each person’s situation and needs.

To stay at HOPE Transitional Housing, people need to meet certain criteria. They must be 18 or older and live in the Rainy River District. They also need to be substance-free, willing to join the programs at HOPE, and to be healthy both physically and mentally. The person should need extra help to recover in a place away from their usual home and be able to pay the program fee and cover their own personal needs.

To apply for HOPE Transitional Housing, people need to fill out a referral form. They can find the form online on the District of Rainy River Services Board website.

Residents cannot use any substances, including marijuana, inside the Transitional House. While people don’t have to be substance-free to stay, they must not use, store, or sell substances in the house. If someone uses substances, staff may ask them to stay away until the next day for safety. Breaking these rules can lead to being asked to leave the program.

No visitors are allowed in the Transitional House to keep everyone safe. Only essential support workers approved by the District of Rainy River Services Board can come in. If residents need to meet with family or friends, staff can help find a safe and suitable place to meet outside the house.  If you have visitors in the house, you could be asked to leave the program.

Residents must follow a curfew from 10 PM to 6 AM every day. Exceptions can be made if they have work or medical reasons. Overnight or day passes can also be approved, but only if the housing worker agrees it’s okay.

No meals are not provided. Each resident will pay $200 a month for food, and everyone will help with meal planning, cooking, and shopping.

When a resident’s stay ends at the Transitional House, they will move to a new place, like their own apartment or another type of housing. Staff will help them prepare for the move and make sure they have the support they need, like finding a job or getting help with their next steps. The goal is to make sure the resident is ready to live independently and has the resources needed to succeed.

Yes, residents can go to school or work while staying at the Transitional House. In fact, staff encourage residents to stay busy with work or education to help them prepare for life after the program.

A Housing Navigator helps residents while they are staying in the Transitional House by supporting them with their goals, like finding a job or learning new skills. They also help plan for the future by assisting with finding a permanent home and completing any necessary paperwork. The Housing Navigator is there to make sure residents are ready to live independently when they leave the program.