Mother Bernard House and Providence tackle chronic homelessness in Eureka

In downtown Eureka, a former motel has been transformed into a permanent residence for those experiencing chronic homelessness. The Mother Bernard House, a supportive housing project, illustrates the power of community collaboration and innovative approaches to addressing one of society’s most pressing issues.

The Mother Bernard House operates on the “housing first” principle, recognizing that stable housing is the cornerstone of personal stability. As Jesse Summerson, a Community Health worker with the Providence CARE Network team, explains, “Housing is the primary component. We’re really lucky in Humboldt that we don’t have a lot of extreme weather. But as we’re seeing, winters are still very cold here. People sleeping out on the streets — we’re not talking subzero, but it’s challenging.”

Named for Mother Bernard Gosselin, the original founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, this permanent housing solution offers more than just a roof over residents’ heads. The 42 permanent supportive housing units provide a foundation from which they can rebuild their lives, access services and work toward self-sufficiency.

Mother Bernard House isn’t just about providing shelter; it’s about creating a supportive community, offering services that are tailored to each tenant’s needs, with the ultimate goal of helping each resident remain successfully housed. These supportive services include life skills, like learning how to pay rent, how to set up and pay utilities, and how to maintain a clean and organized apartment. The services team helps tenants apply for government programs they are eligible for like CalFresh or Veterans Administration benefits.

“Eviction is considered a last resort,” says Martha Shanahan, director of Community Health Investment for Providence Redwood Memorial and Providence St. Joseph hospitals. “If there are issues or violations that could lead to an eviction, the services team steps in to provide real-time coaching to help tenants take steps to mitigate or prevent that violation going forward.”

The services team also helps tenants build a sense of community with each other. The facility includes a community room where residents can participate in various activities designed to enhance their well-being and life skills:

Art therapy classes
Cooking classes (adapted to the efficiency units’ limited kitchen facilities)
Volunteer opportunities for residents to help maintain the property

A nurse and a social worker are part of the Providence CARE Network team, ensuring residents receive follow-up care, medication management, transportation to medical appointments and support with substance misuse, among other crucial supportive offerings.

The Mother Bernard House stands as a model for how communities can come together to provide not just housing, but a true home and support system for those who have long lived without.