A Lifeline for Orange County’s Hard-to-Place Populations
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In every community, there are individuals who don’t fit the mold of traditional homeless services—people with trauma histories, serious medical needs, or complex circumstances that make them “too difficult” to serve. These are the hard-to-place populations, and all too often, they’re the ones left with nowhere to go.
Grandma’s House of Hope was created precisely for them.
Who Are the Hard-to-Place?
The people Grandma’s House of Hope serves are often those who have been turned away from multiple programs because their needs don’t match rigid criteria. This group includes:
Those undergoing serious medical treatments, including cancer
Survivors of human trafficking, abuse, and severe trauma
Adults with disabilities or complex mental health needs
People who have experienced long-term homelessness and need extended stability
Individuals who require flexible, specialized care that traditional shelters cannot offer
These individuals aren’t “difficult”—they’re underserved. And Grandma’s House of Hope is uniquely structured to meet their needs.
Why Most Shelters Can’t Meet Their Needs
With short stay limits and strict rules designed for high turnover, many shelters can’t accommodate people who need:
Ongoing medical treatments
Trauma-conscious environments
Nonlinear paths to recovery
Flexible care structures
Extended time to rebuild life skills and emotional stability
The hard-to-place population requires long-term support, compassion, and adaptable programming—and that’s exactly what Grandma’s House of Hope provides.
A Program Built for Those Who Often Hear “No”
Grandma’s House of Hope’s model is rooted in long-term, trauma-informed, individualized care. Residents can stay longer, giving them the time and stability needed to heal and grow at a sustainable pace.
We provide safe housing for those in cancer treatment—remove the heartbreaking choice between treatment and homelessness.
Throughout their stay, residents receive wraparound services including counseling, case management, addiction and mental health support, career mentoring, and life-skills development. Healing isn’t rushed—it’s respected.
AfterCare Program: Support Through the Transition
One of the most challenging times for a hard-to-place individual is the moment they leave structured housing and step into independent living. Many organizations end services right there—but not Grandma’s House of Hope.
The AfterCare Program provides continued guidance for graduates as they adjust to their new environment, offering:
Regular check-ins
Resource and referral support
Help navigating new challenges
Preventive support to reduce the risk of returning to homelessness
This safety net ensures graduates remain connected, supported, and empowered long after they leave the program.
Grandma’s Family Tree Alumni Association: Community for Life
Beyond AfterCare, Grandma’s House of Hope extends belonging even further through the Grandma’s Family Tree Alumni Association, a community for former residents who want connection, support, and encouragement long after their program stay.
Through the Alumni Association, graduates gain access to:
Peer support and mentorship
Workshops and resource-sharing
Social events that reduce isolation
A community that celebrates milestones and progress
For individuals who have spent years feeling invisible or disconnected, this ongoing sense of family is life-changing.
A Mission Rooted in Personal Experience
Grandma’s House of Hope’s compassionate model traces back to founder Je’net Kreitner’s own experience with homelessness. What began with opening her home to women in crisis has grown into a multi-program nonprofit dedicated to those most often overlooked.
Where Others Say “No,” Grandma’s House of Hope Says “Welcome Home.”
Hard-to-place does not mean hopeless.It means someone needs more time, more care, and more understanding—exactly what Grandma’s House of Hope is built to provide.
With longer-term housing, trauma-informed care, the AfterCare Program, and a lifelong community through the Grandma’s Family Tree Alumni Association, Grandma’s House of Hope doesn’t just house people.
It uplifts them. It restores hope. It creates lasting stability.
