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The History of
Housing Transitions
In 1983, a countywide task force comprised of concerned citizens, faith-based organizations, and local governments was formed to address the growing demand for emergency shelter services. The outcome was the establishment of a nonprofit organization named Temporary Housing, Inc (THI) in 1984, and the initiation of the Centre House Emergency Shelter program. From inception, even when it operated out of two 3-bedroom apartments, Centre House served both individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
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Centre House moved to 217 East Nittany Avenue in State College, PA in 1988 and has since grown its staff and services to provide a continuum of programs to address housing insecurity and guide clients toward long term housing solutions.
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Temporary Housing Foundation was formed to help raise money for the organization in 1988 but expanded its reach by becoming a Community Housing Development Organization in 1997.
Today, Housing Transitions, whose name changed in the late 1990s from THI, provides shelter, rapid rehousing which provides a period of rental assistance and case management to the literally homeless, permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced chronic homelessness, and coordinated entry services to help anyone experiencing a housing crisis access services throughout the county. HT also maintains a food pantry for anyone in need and provides supportive and community-building services to various apartment complexes around the county.
THF, now The HOME Foundation, became a HUD Certified Housing Counseling Agency in April of 2020. In addition to first time homebuyer education, post-purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling, our counselors provide budget, credit, and rental counseling. In addition, THF operates a first-time home buyer acquisition, rehabilitation, and resale program in the State College Borough. It also owns a small portfolio of 23 rental units.
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The two organizations are largely funded by local, state, and federal funding and grants from foundations and banks. Housing Transitions must raise about 20% of its budget through donations and fundraising events each year.
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Each organization has its own board of directors and there is one Executive Director for the two organizations together. They also share the finance manager. The organization, as a whole, constantly evaluates the needs of the community and does its part to meet them.
