OUR MISSION

We are committed to the idea that adequate shelter for all benefits the whole community.

Our mission is to explore all options for creating this, including safe, legal camping, transitional housing villages, and eventually permanent housing.

OUR VISION

We envision a healthy community where every individual is acknowledged for their right to affordable shelter, basic sustenance, and opportunities to improve their lives.

OUR ORGANIZATION

We are a group of local volunteers who are operating SHO as a registered 501(c)(3) in Southern Humboldt County for the benefit of the most vulnerable among us as well as the overall welfare of our community.

OUR BEGINNING

The 2015 Extreme Weather Shelter was operated to house those without shelter in cases of temperatures below 32 degrees and rain events over 1 inch per day.

After the Veteran’s Hall in Garberville closed, Southern Humboldt was left without a location for an Extreme Weather Shelter.

In early 2016, two longtime residents and local advocates Peg Anderson and Yashi Hoffman, worked to revive this effort. By that winter, they and a small group of dedicated volunteers, were able to offer a hot meal and shelter on the coldest and wettest winter nights.

The First Baptist Church in Redway and Presbyterian Church in Garberville were the primary locations, along with a few nights at the Healy Senior Center and the Mateel Community Center. That year was particularly stormy, and there were 17 shelter nights! Some of the volunteers even spent Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day night with the sheltered. Although it was certainly different, it was a wonderful Holiday, complete with spiced cider, candy canes, and a visit from some children with their parents and grandparents.

Out of that group of early volunteers came the beginning of SoHum Housing Opportunities, and four of its original Board Members. Peg Anderson, Yashi Hoffman, Carol and David Ordonez.

Our Board Members and Staff