“Fourth & Hope envisions a world where everyone has the resources to make the necessary lifestyle changes that enable them to exchange homelessness and hopelessness for a full and productive life.”

People who come to Fourth & Hope in need of housing might already be clients at the emergency shelter or at Walter’s House, the substance use treatment program, or contact us to say they are in danger of losing their housing because of a crisis. In recent days we have been receiving calls about bed availability at the emergency shelter as the impact of people losing jobs, and soon possibly housing, is being felt, and in fact, a former client of the homeless shelter recently called and was concerned about where she can go if she loses her housing.

Fourth & Hope offers two transitional housing programs and permanent supportive housing with a total capacity for 120 people:

The Victims of Crime transitional program has 24 beds at 3 separate locations. The program is a collaboration with the Yolo County District Attorney and Empower Yolo. Clients, usually referred by Empower Yolo or the D.A., move into the program from homelessness and can stay for 24 months. Once they find a job, they are required to set aside 30% of their income to use to move into stable housing. About 60% of the clients are women, some who have been trafficked for sex, sexually assaulted, left a domestic abuser, or had theft of private property.

The Sober Living Environment (SLE) provides transitional housing for people wanting to live a sober life. Many are graduates of Walter’s House, some are on parole or probation, many are employed, and all are working toward self sufficiency goals. The program is funded by probation and parole, and clients can stay for up to a year while they get stabilized with employment, reuniting with family, and into housing. Participants have been residents of Woodland or Yolo County.

The Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program takes place at 7 locations throughout Woodland, and one in West Sacramento. This HUD program requires renters to pay 30% of their income on the rent. Case managers check in with clients regularly, and placement into these units are made in collaboration with the Coordinated Entry program of Yolo County’s Continuum of Care.

“Making a difference in someone’s life is the best part of this work,” said Darrell Hampsmire, Housing Services Program Manager at Fourth & Hope. “When that light comes on for the clients and they see that they can have a better life, and everything is achievable if you want it to be – it makes this work all worthwhile.”