TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
NEHEMIAH'S WAY AND BRIDGE HOUSING
Laurel House operates two transitional housing programs: Nehemiah’s Way is based out of the North Wales area, while the Bridge Housing program is centered in the Norristown area. These programs provide a “bridge” between our shelter and independent community living. The goal of the program is to enable families to become self-sufficient and help reduce the risk of having them return to a domestic violence situation.
During a client’s stay with us in either program, a full-time Housing Case Manager works with them to address the individual barriers they are facing. This may include employment assistance, gaining access to benefits, budgeting, finding childcare, and locating permanent housing. Clients are also assisted with referrals to other community resources in order to provide a holistic approach to supporting survivors. This program is designed to reduce or eliminate domestic violence survivors’ experiences with homelessness and assist them in finding and obtaining permanent housing to enhance their safety and independence. They do not sign a lease so there are no broken lease costs or evictions on their record if they leave prior to the end of the 2-year program.
This transitional housing program has been a lifeline for domestic violence survivors in need of housing.
Participants in this program can stay for up to two years at one of seven scattered houses/apartments. During their time in the transitional housing program, residents will receive:
➤ Weekly case management
➤ Group counseling
➤ Life skills training
➤ Emergency financial assistance
➤ Children’s services
➤ Connections to community resources.
NORTH WALES RENOVATION PROJECT
In 2024, Laurel House renovated and expanded our transitional housing building in North Wales, known as Nehemiah’s Way. Once part a large estate, this building was gifted to Laurel House over 20 years ago by another organization that had transformed it into individual apartments for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
The intent of the project was to increase the available apartments from 5 to 6 and to make one of the units fully ADA accessible. Clients can stay in these apartments for up to two years.
Check out some updated photos from Nehemiah's Way!
