Secure Housing

What our Secure Housing Programs Offer

Our principal offering is overnight, Cold Weather Shelter since 2004. This program operates from November-April to provide a warm, safe place to sleep during the coldest nights.

PACEM’s Secure Programs are housing navigation and stabilization programs for shelter guests transitioning to permanent, stable housing. These programs offer housing navigation including funding for application fees, security deposit, and first month’s rent. After move-in, individualized case management services continue for a year to ensure housing stability. Case managers work with participants on financial management, relationship building, and local resource navigation. Additionally, financial incentives are offered to help clients achieve independent living goals.

We also co-manage a housing program for seniors with the Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM) called Secure Seniors, provide specialized women’s services, and engage in a wide array of other community partnerships.

The Impact

To meet our community mission to prevent and end homelessness, PACEM expanded its programming in 2019 to include a year-round housing program. Crafted to serve one of our largest populations, men aged 50 and older, our Secure Housing program began with a grant from Twice Is Nice. For over 40 years Twice Is Nice has operated a donation-based resale boutique with proceeds benefiting organizations that support quality of life for community seniors. Our initial 9 participants has since grown to 47!

In 2024, with the generous support of Women United in Philanthropy, our Secure Housing program expanded to serve guests who stayed in our Women’s Shelter. Spearheaded by our case manager Heather Kellams, 17 women have been housed through our program.

“Housing is life-changing. I’ve seen participants grow, stabilize and take their life back,” Kellams emphasizes. 

PACEM was pleased to enroll another 8 participants during the 2024-25 shelter season! And through a major grant from a local congregation, the Secure Housing program will add Transitional Housing to its programing. The Transitional House will offer 4 rooms for up to 12 months to women in our Secure Housing. Participants will continue to work on their permanent housing goals while building good rental history. PACEM anticipates opening the Transitional House in early September. 

How You or Your Organization Can Support Our Programs

1. Purchase Supplies: Our new Transitional House requires several house and participant supplies. Please purchase directly through our Amazon Wish List or contact our Administrative Assistant, Rae Alberts, to confirm supply needs. https://a.co/915Eo7j

2. Group Volunteer Project – Decorate a Room: While we have been gathering household basics for our Transitional House, we have not yet focused on making the home feel like a home. If your group is interested in washing new bed sheets, hanging/donating wall art, arranging furniture, or other home organizing and decorating work, please contact Rae to sign-up to help throughout the month of August. 

3. Sublet a room or connect us with an open-minded landlord: PACEM is seeking creative housing solutions! Do you have an extra bedroom that you would be willing to lease for to a Secure Housing participant for a year? Do you know someone with available housing who wants to end homelessness? We’d love to talk! Please contact case manager Heather Kellams to learn how we could partner.

Four Guests in Need of Housing

Below are four guests who need to secure housing in the month of August. (Pseudonyms are used to protect privacy.) Three of them have been staying in a shared apartment under a short-term lease that ends 7/31. All have maintained a clean space and peacefully managed sharing a unit. Do you have a room to rent or a landlord connection? Please email Deputy Director Cindy Chambers if you can help us keep these folks in housing.

“Perry”

Perry is a native Charlottesville senior (aged 70) whose home was sold this year. He has been homeless since January 2025. He was a PACEM shelter guest for four months without any behavior issues. He has been in temporary housing for three months maintaining a clean apartment and paying his rent on time. He is looking to rent a one-bedroom apartment for the next year until he able to increase his income through working a part-time job. He will likely be able to pay up to $850 a month including utilities.

“Thomas”

Thomas came to Charlottesville about two years ago to help care for his brother who is disable. Due to conflicts with his brother’s housemates, he had to leave and ended up staying as a PACEM shelter all season. Thomas is 64 years old, receives Social Security income, and works part-time as a flagger. He owns a car that our case manager has helped him get repaired recently. Thomas has a positive rapport with all staff and guests. He will likely be able to pay up to $700 a month including utilities. 

“Harry”

Harry has stayed at PACEM’s shelter off and on for three years. He is 53 years old with a steady girlfriend that is currently housed in Charlottesville. Over the past 12 months, Harry has truly dedicated himself to improving his housing and income. He engages well with PACEM and The Haven staff and his relationships with others have been solid. Harry is employed at a local sandwich shop with an excellent work history. He can pay around $900 a month including utilities. 

“June”

June is 76 years old and has been living between PACEM shelter, hotel, and the streets since March 2025. June has acute medical vulnerabilities including Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) disease. Although she can walk on her own, June uses a wheelchair for most of her daily activities due to fatigue. Despite these adverse conditions, June demonstrates resilience in many aspects of her life. She can utilize our community’s resources for the unhoused and regularly engages with her case manager. June enjoys helping others, connecting with friends and spending time at the library researching a wide variety of topics. June is eager to find a living environment where she is safe and can flourish. At a recent meeting with her case manager, June stated that “she just wants to be seen”.

Learn more

Check out this guide on the connection between substance use disorders and homelessness (Bicycle Health).