Transitional housing in Mohave County is more than a shelter

Several agencies provide transitional housing for homeless individuals and families living in Mohave County. Each agency recognizes the challenges faced by the homeless as well as the need to offer something more than just a homeless shelter.

The organizations that give rental aid to lower-income tenants do so to prevent homelessness. Sometimes though, people find themselves without a residence or place to live. Family or friends can sometimes provide temporary housing, but a permanent solution must be found eventually.

These organizations work to help local residents first stabilize their housing situation. While a one night motel voucher is sometimes provided by the Salvation Army, a longer-term solution is needed.

For immediate need, these two organizations provide emergency shelter:

  • Safehouse in Bullhead City. Call 520-763-7233.
  • Kingman Aid to Abused People (K.A.A.P.). Call 520-753-6222.

Emergency shelter is not usually the most desirable living situation but it is safer than being on the streets. Both agencies supply a case manager that can assist with a referral into an appropriate transitional housing program within the county.

Cornerstone Mission Project

Diana’s Faith House is a shelter in Kingman that assists with transitional housing for women with or without children. Cornerstone also maintains a men’s shelter which is separate.

This faith-based organization often finds that most residents are either unemployed or underemployed. Case managers will work with all to assist with defining job skills, developing educational targets and helping to find and obtain a job.

Each resident is paired with case manager that can help immediately start the process of searching for a permanent rental home. Affordability is first checked through the preparation of a budget. If additional funds are needed for security deposit, then the best match may be located by the case manager.

Any potential resident may contact Cornerstone Mission Project at 928-757-5312.

Mohave County Government

The Housing and Community Development Department operates an Emergency Food and Shelter Program which is federally funded. Funds from this program may be allocated to help a homeless resident obtain permanent housing.

Recipients of aid are typically in a homeless shelter or benefitting from a transitional housing program. Since the county frequently provides referrals to eligible transitional housing programs, this can often be a great place to begin.

Call the location closest to you:

  • Bullhead City, call 928-758-0702.
  • Kingman, call 928-753-0723.
  • Lake Havasu City, call 928-453-0710.

County agents may refer some residents to the Mohave County Housing Authority (MCHA). However, this agency focuses more on permanent housing and is unable to open the waiting list due to capacity restrictions.

Local Requests:

(Request from Krystle in Kingman, Arizona) I am homeless I was just kicked out of my dad’s house and I have a 1 year old child. I have no where else to go and me and my boyfriend are in Kingman staying with my sister. My sister can only help us until Sunday. She doesn’t have the money or the room for us to stay with her. I was told by Salvation Army that you could get us a place to stay. You can contact me. Thank you.

Dear Krystle,

I am glad that you were at least able to stay with your sister for a few days while you evaluate your options. The county is generally the first place to begin when looking for a place to stay. Social workers will screen you for potential benefits and help you apply.

We checked into the programs at Cornerstone Mission Project and found that organization to potentially be the best source of local support given your situation. Your boyfriend would have to live separately from you while in the transitional housing program, but both of you could enter the program and work together with a case manager to develop an action plan. Your child can continue to live with you while at the facility.

You can give them a call directly to arrange for entry into the program. Please feel free to let us know what the outcome is.