House of Ruth ready in Tustin to be a home for unhoused families
A visitor takes a photo in a 3-bedroom unit at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Another option for unhoused families struggling to find a place to live is opening in Tustin, turning an empty lot on El Camino Real into a community resource.
The House of Ruth features seven furnished units — they vary in size from one bedroom to three bedrooms — for families who will also have access at the complex to resources that will help them find permanent housing they can afford. Its grand opening was celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Bryan Lake, Executive Director of Family Promise, speaks at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
One of the two-bedroom units was on display at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gina Cunningham, Executive Director of HomeAid Orange County, speaks at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Attendees listen to speakers at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The kitchen and dining room of one of the two-bedroom units was on display at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officials cut the ribbon at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors tour a 3-bedroom unit at the opening of The House of Ruth in Tustin, CA on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Family Promise of Orange County and HomeAid OC partnered to build the transitional shelter for homeless families. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Family Promise of Orange County will operate the shelter — each unit also has its own kitchen and living room — and was donated the property by the city of Tustin.
HomeAid Orange County, a nonprofit arm of the Building Industry Association, partnered on the project and helped bring on Brookfield Residential, which is a national homebuilder that donated its time and resources to build the two-story complex.
HomeAid Orange County has spent 35 years helping develop shelters and affordable housing and has done more than 70 projects in Orange County.
“This is our gift to our community,” said Executive Director Gina Cunningham, “being able to bring in the resources through homebuilders, like Brookfield Residential, to develop housing for people experiencing homelessness.”
Local churches also helped with fundraising for the project, including Tustin Presbyterian Church, Aldersgate United Methodist in Tustin, Irvine United Congregational Church and St. John’s Lutheran Church of Orange.
Families will be able to stay for up to a year at House of the Ruth while, Cunningham said, “coming out of homelessness and finding their way back home through being housed.”
