Housing and Emergency Shelter

The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.
—Mother Teresa

Bethesda House was one of the first agencies nationwide to open a Housing-First permanent supportive housing program, now considered the best practice housing model.

Housing First is an approach to ending homelessness that prioritizes providing immediate, permanent housing to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, followed by supportive services to help them maintain their housing and address other needs.

Bethesda House offers:

  • Permanent Supportive Housing to eligible chronically homeless adults
    • Scattered Sites Apartments: 8 Beds
    • Lighthouse Program: 7 Beds
    • Liberty Apartments: 16 Beds
    • Cara House: 26 Beds
  • Transitional Housing for Veterans:
    • Lighthouse facility: 3 Beds
    • In partnership with the Veterans Administration, Veterans have housing and full access to case management services.
  • Overnight Emergency Shelter
    • Cara House location:
      • 10 beds for homeless single adults
      • Referrals are approved by Department of Social Services
      • Hours of Operation: 4:30 PM to 8:00 AM
      • In Operation 365 days /year
      • Fully staffed over night
  • Code Blue – Overnight Emergency Shelter
    • Catherine Street location:
      • 26 shelter beds
      • Hours of Operation: 4:30 PM to 8:00 AM
      • November 1 to April 30
      • Fully staff over night