Transitional housing project supports sexual assault survivors
Project will enhance access to transitional housing and support services for survivors in Northern San Luis Obispo County
– Must! Charities has partnered with Lumina Alliance to convert an existing emergency shelter into transitional housing for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. This collaboration aims to provide affordable housing, advocacy, healing, and wrap-around services in a safe environment for individuals and families.
The project will enhance access to transitional housing and support services for survivors in Northern San Luis Obispo County. Currently, there are no long-term transitional housing options available in the area. Lumina Alliance operates two emergency shelters at 50% capacity. Converting one shelter into transitional housing will increase the organization’s capacity to support survivors and save $60,000.
“This partnership with Lumina Alliance is a form of trust philanthropy,” said Becky Gray, executive director of Must! Charities. “With trust philanthropy, funders approach their relationships with nonprofit partners from a place of trust and collaboration. Our original focus was on emergency shelters, but after hours of open and honest dialogue, we determined that transitional housing was the real need for this region. Transforming one of the emergency shelters into long-term affordable housing is pivotal for individuals and families who are healing and building a new life on their own.”
Survivors can stay in Lumina Alliance’s transitional housing units for up to 12 months, with rent calculated as 30% of their income. Lumina Alliance will set aside 10% of the rent paid in a savings account, which will be returned to residents upon exiting the program, easing the transition to permanent housing.
Lumina Alliance offers comprehensive wrap-around services to help survivors achieve emotional, physical, and financial stability. Services include a 24-hour crisis and information hotline, individual and group therapy, legal service referrals, case management, skills training, and financial assistance.
“An amazing amount of collaborative effort and collective discussion has gone into this partnership,” said Randy Gray, project manager of Must! Charities. “As a result, we were able to identify the most critical needs facing sexual assault and intimate partner violence survivors. Investing in affordable transitional housing is vital for these individuals to start over, heal, and build a foundation for future health and wellness.”
For more information about Must! Charities’ fundraising campaigns, visit mustcharities.org or call (805) 226-5788.
