PRESS RELEASE

Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), in partnership with Fourth & Hope, held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening of the Fourth & Hope Bridge Housing Program in Woodland. The program provides safe, stable, and supportive temporary housing for CalWORKs families experiencing housing instability.

Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Sheila Allen and Supervisors Angel Barajas and Mary Vixie Sandy joined Yolo County HHSA staff and Fourth & Hope representatives for the ceremony marking the opening of the new family housing units.

“Housing stability is critical for families, especially those with children,” said District 5 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Angel Barajas. “Programs like the Fourth & Hope Bridge Housing Program provide families with the support and stability they need during difficult times while helping them move toward permanent housing. I am proud to see this investment in our community and grateful for the partnership between Yolo County, HHSA and Fourth & Hope that made it possible.”

The project was funded through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP), which provides housing assistance and supportive services to help families receiving CalWORKs secure and maintain stable housing.

Families participating in the Bridge Housing Program will receive supportive services including case management, employment support, behavioral health connections, tutoring for children, and support groups for parents.

The site includes 11 family units designed specifically for families with children. Each unit includes a private bathroom, and residents have access to shared spaces including a kitchen, living area, and an interior courtyard that supports recreation and community-building. As of next week, all units are expected to be filled, with a waitlist of nearly 10 families.

Each year, approximately 100 to 150 CalWORKs families in Yolo County experience housing instability and are approved for assistance through the CalWORKs Housing Support Program. Since the program began, more than 1,800 families have been approved for housing assistance, with over 1,000 families successfully securing housing.

“Programs like the Fourth & Hope Bridge Housing Program are an important part of Yolo County’s efforts to prevent homelessness and support families before housing challenges become long-term crises,” said District 3 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Mary Vixie Sandy. “By connecting families with stable housing and supportive services, we are helping create pathways toward long-term stability and opportunity.”

The program also improves the ability for Yolo County HHSA staff to provide services by creating a dedicated and supportive environment where case managers can meet with families onsite. This project is the result of several years of planning and collaboration between Yolo County, HHSA and community partners. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that move families from temporary crisis toward long-term housing stability. By creating a dedicated bridge housing model, the program allows families to stabilize in a safe environment while receiving the coordinated services needed to transition into permanent housing.

“It was a pleasure to join my fellow board members and Yolo County HHSA staff to celebrate the opening of the new supportive housing program in partnership with Fourth and Hope local nonprofit,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Sheila Allen. “Through collaborations like this, we can support families with children experiencing housing instability by providing a safe and supportive environment right here in Yolo County.”

“Every family deserves the opportunity for a new beginning,” said Fourth and Hope Executive Director, Doug Zeck. “Ellen’s House was created to give families not just shelter, but the stability and support they need to begin a new chapter.”

The partnership between Yolo County, HHSA and Fourth & Hope reflects the County’s broader commitment to strengthening families and connecting residents with services that promote long-term stability.