Sarah Powell Huntington House Family Reunification Residence
Sarah Powell Huntington House (SPHH) is a unique residence where homeless women who have criminal justice involvement can reunify with their children. WPA opened SPHH in 1993 to address the Catch-22 in the law that prevents children from returning to parents who have inadequate housing, but bars those parents from qualifying for family shelter assistance before children are in their care. SPHH is home to 37 mothers, 18 who live in single units and are awaiting the return of their children and 19 whose children are in their care. WPA offers on-site case management, day care, recreational activities for children, counseling (for both mothers and their children), and intensive assistance with finding permanent housing.

Huntington House is a safe, drug-free environment with 24-hour supervision. Most women reside at Huntington House for between 6 and 18 months. Women move into Huntington House as singles and share an apartment with a roommate who is also seeking to reunite with her children. When a mother regains custody of her children, WPA helps the family with the process of seeking approval for family shelter and they move together into a family unit within Huntington House.

Criminal justice-involved women face tremendous obstacles to obtaining affordable and suitable housing, including disqualification from many public housing opportunities. Huntington House staff help residents navigate the complex and inconsistent regulations of the criminal justice, housing, welfare and foster care systems. 

Huntington House staff work closely with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), family court, and foster care agencies to help women advocate effectively and prepare for reunification with their children. Prior to reunification, staff help residents coordinate visits and plan ways to spend time with their children. Mothers and children are encouraged to participate in Huntington House family outings and on-site services so that children can become familiar with staff and other residents before they move in.

Residents participate in workshops focused on finding and maintaining housing, preparing for employment, developing independent living skills, and improving parenting skills. Comprehensive case management, housing placement assistance, HIV and health education, child care, individual and group counseling, and academic and recreational enrichment programs are provided on-site, while residents are connected with community-based services, including health, long-term mental health, and other complementary services. As families prepare to move out of SPHH, staff help them identify the community resources and local supports they may need to further develop and strengthen family relationships and start new lives in the community. These individual and family supports help women comply with parole or probation requirements while developing improved prospects for livelihood, long-term sobriety, stronger family ties, and a healthy and satisfying life in the community.