Common Types of Shelter & Housing Programs (Repost from April 2025)

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for those experiencing homelessness. Some individuals and families need short-term assistance, while others require long-term supports. Thus, it's essential to match the needs of those served with the most appropriate shelter and housing program model to provide the best opportunity for a successful, sustainable exit from homelessness. Understanding these distinctions also makes for more impactful advocacy, promotes better community outcomes, and advances ending homelessness within our community. Here is a primer:

Emergency Shelter – This type of shelter offers temporary, low-barrier shelter. Entry requirements are generally minimal; however, the programs and services offered can vary widely depending on the community. Emergency shelters can range from immediate, night-by-night, congregate shelter, often with stay restrictions and little to no case management or supportive services, to a program like Families Moving Forward, where guests are referred to us from Coordinated Entry (Entry Point Durham) and provided with private rooms, extensive case management, skills-building programming for adults and children, and referrals to additional community resources to promote stable, thriving families.

Transitional Shelter/Housing – This type of shelter is designed to ‘bridge the gap’ between an emergency shelter and permanent housing. Guests are encouraged to stay for a longer period, often between three and 24 months, and generally have private or semi-private rooms. Residents of transitional housing often receive extensive case management and support, and funding may require guests to meet benchmarks in areas like income growth to continue with the program. Transitional programs are designed to serve people who need additional structured support to stabilize.

Rapid ReHousing – This program is designed to quickly end homelessness through a permanent housing solution with temporary supportive measures, such as short-term rental assistance and case management to assist in stabilization and ongoing self-sufficiency. In 2024, FMF’s Rapid ReHousing program helped 28 families secure housing and move toward thriving futures.

Permanent Supportive Housing – This model is designed to quickly end homelessness through a permanent housing solution and provide needed ongoing supports. These can include long-term rental assistance and/or wraparound services such as onsite case management, connecting individuals with healthcare and social services, job training, and financial literacy education. 

At FMF, we recognize that adults and children experiencing homelessness—and the families they represent—have unique circumstances and barriers to overcome. Addressing these concerns in a non-judgmental, personalized way gives families the best chance to break the cycle of homelessness and thrive in safe, stable homes. Thank you for supporting that approach!