Group Residence: transitional shelter in Dallas
A safe, shared home for single mothers with children and for adults 50 and older, with a staff team that helps you get back on your feet.
How it works
The Group Residence offers more than a longer stay. It surrounds people with support to improve their education, social life, and finances, so they can regain their independence, support themselves, and move back into more traditional housing.
Our homes house single women with small children and older adults. Several unrelated adults and families share one house. Each has a private bedroom with a private bathroom, and everyone shares the kitchen and living room. Every resident does everyday household chores.
Staff supervise each house to keep it maintained, clean, and safe. Staff also screen new applicants and help residents who are leaving move into more permanent housing.
Adults can improve their education and job skills, learn to manage a budget, build computer skills, and grow as parents. Children have after-school programs, monthly literacy programs, and fun, learning, and social activities. We offer structured services and programs just for children, too. Together, residents build an alternative “family” that helps each other toward independent living.
Contracted services, partners, and volunteers help residents throughout their stay with counseling, budgeting, programs, and other special needs.
Stays start with a 3-month commitment. We can add more time case by case, for a total stay of no more than 12 months.
Who it’s for
- Single parents with children (most are mothers), and adults 50 and older
- Living in Dallas County
- Homeless or about to lose your home
- The adult in charge is 21 or older
- Able to live on your own and take care of yourself day to day
- Looking for affordable temporary housing, not a drug or alcohol program
- Children: boys up to age 10 and girls up to age 12 when you move in
What it costs
There is no cost until you have a job. After that, rent is never more than 30% of your monthly income. Parents must be working, able to work, or in school. Older adults can work or volunteer, depending on their situation and income.
Support while you stay
Open each one to see what’s included.
Help in a crisis
- Case management for an immediate personal or family crisis
- Groceries, clothing, toiletries, and medicine, plus help with transportation for a while
Education and jobs
- Classes in nutrition, personal hygiene, and first aid
- Access to job and education opportunities and resources
- Tutoring for school-age children and for adults taking classes
- An employment coach for the women in our programs
Money skills
- Budgeting and money management classes
Ongoing support
- Regular check-ins on your family’s short- and long-term goals
- Mentoring for older adults
- Case management, tutoring, and help with school for children
- Help finding a permanent home
Family time and fun
- Monthly recreational and learning activities for children
- A mothers’ night out every three months
- Family holiday and special-occasion celebrations that make happy, healthy memories
Help from our partners
- Child care through Vogel Alcove
- Individual and family mental health counseling on site through Parkland’s HOMES program
- Life skills training through Rainbow Days, Inc.
- An after-school program at Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School
- Special programs run by volunteer groups and individuals
How to apply
- Fill out a short form or call us.
- We call you back, check references, and do a background check and drug test.
- If it’s a fit, you sign an agreement about your stay, the house rules, and your plan for a permanent home.
Ready to start?
It takes about 3 minutes. A staff member will call you back.