We develop healing communities that are solution-focused, participant-driven and strength-based, where homeless people help themselves – and each other – through their transition from the streets to self-sustainability.

Solution-Focused: Applicants commit to sobriety, self-defined personal development goals and voluntary service.

Participant-Driven: Residents are engaged as participants rather than recipients in every aspect of program operations.

Strength-Based: Using the Resiliency Method, we do things with people – not for them.

Cottage Housing Inc. was formed in 1994 by a coalition of civic leaders seeking innovative alternatives to short-term, crisis-oriented response to the homeless dilemma. In its first decade of operations, nearly 75% of participants graduated with housing secure, income stabilized, and sobriety intact.

This success is made possible by our collaboration with the participants and alumni of our programs and with Mercy Housing California –the project's construction and property manager– as well as numerous community allies. CHI launches our second decade with plans to double residential capacity from 241 to 500 bedrooms that accommodate over 1,000 homeless parents and children annually.