Compassion United celebrated the opening of two new transitional homes July 13 at its Miracle City campus in Conroe, more than doubling the nonprofit’s residential capacity for people working toward long-term independence.
The details
The nonprofit’s previous transitional homes had space for 10 men and four women. With the new additions, Compassion United will increase its capacity from 14 to 32 residents once the homes are occupied, Director of Communications Jessica Clark said.
One home will serve up to 16 men, while the other will serve up to 16 women. Each roughly 3,000-square-foot home will also have a live-in house manager who will provide support to residents.
The organization was awaiting its final certificate of occupancy as of July 13, with residents expected to begin moving in the following week. Six applicants are prepared to move in, and Compassion United officials said additional beds may still be available.
“What we’re celebrating today extends far beyond the opening of a couple of houses,” Compassion United founder Luke Redus said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s an expanding legacy that’s going to make history.”
What this means
The homes are the latest phase of Compassion United’s Miracle City campus, which combines housing with programs and services aimed at helping people move out of homelessness and build more stable lives.
Residents receive individualized support based on their needs and goals. While the length of the program varies, Clark said many residents participate for about a year.
The transitional housing program includes:
Residents who are employed pay a minimal program fee and continue working while participating in the program.
Clark said the goal is to help people address the challenges that contributed to homelessness rather than only providing temporary housing.
“If that blueprint is followed, then we’re not just putting traumatized people in houses that they can’t sustain,” Clark said. “We’re actually helping heal people so they can maintain independent living and so they can actually have sustained lives that they don’t want to escape from.”
The program also takes a trauma-centered approach to addiction recovery by looking at the underlying reasons a person may use drugs or alcohol. Clark said Compassion United has seen long-term sobriety rates of more than 90% among participants.
A closer look
HomeAid Houston partnered with Highland Homes and members of the Greater Houston Builders Association along with others to construct the two homes for Compassion United. Construction began in January following several years of planning.
During the ceremony, Redus said the project is about more than the physical buildings.
“Each one of those beds represents life transformed, families reunited, and communities made stronger,” Redus said.
The homes were designed to feel warm and welcoming while using furnishings that are durable and easy to maintain. Bedrooms include different colors and design elements rather than an identical, institutional layout.
“We’re really trying to create a home for these men and women to heal in,” Clark said.
Each home will also have a house manager. The men’s house manager is a recent graduate of Compassion United’s transitional program who first came to the organization while experiencing homelessness. The women’s house manager previously became involved with the nonprofit through a college volunteer program.
Raised garden beds have also been installed between the homes through a partnership with HomeAid Houston. Vegetables are already growing as Compassion United prepares to develop a community garden, Clark said.
Before you go
Those interested in the transitional housing program can apply through Compassion United and complete a brief screening process, Clark said.
Staff members consider where an applicant is in the transition process, including their ability to work, move toward greater independence and participate in a communal living environment.
Clark said the goal is to determine the type of support each person needs and place applicants in a setting where they have the best opportunity to succeed.
With the new homes nearly ready for residents, Compassion United is preparing for additional growth at Miracle City.
Plans include expanding classroom and office space to support the larger transitional housing program. The nonprofit also plans to eventually construct two additional transitional homes and develop quadplexes with 32 individual apartments.
The apartments would provide long-term supportive housing for people who may be able to live in their own space but still need ongoing supervision, accountability or assistance. Potential residents could include seniors, people with disabilities or those living with mental illness.
Compassion United officials said the order and timing of those projects have not yet been finalized as the organization continues building the staff and infrastructure needed to support its growing programs.
