Haus of Codec is a Providence-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to finding permanent housing solutions and workforce opportunities for LGBTQ youth at risk for, or experiencing, homelessness. I took the opportunity to visit their offices, housed in a converted artist studio at AS220’s Empire Street complex, and talk to Julio Berroa (Executive Director) and GEM (Director of Operations and Development). You can attend Haus of Codec’s monthly drag trivia event at Black Sheep in Providence on August 20th, and their PVDFest marketplace on September 5 in Burnside Park. More information on their work can be found at hausofcodec.org.
Could you describe what services Haus of Codec provides?
GEM: Haus of Codec first and foremost is an emergency housing service for LGBTQ youth ages 18 to 24. We provide three housing programs: an emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing for young people experiencing or at risk for homelessness. We provide all of our clients with access to a food pantry, clothing pantry, basic needs pantry, access to free mental health care, and assistance navigating complex health care and social service systems. We provide a transportation stipend to make sure that they can get to and from work, doctor appointments, and things like that. We really try to take a holistic approach to making sure young people experiencing homelessness have a pathway out.
How did it all start?
Julio: I had founded Haus of Codec as a graphic design firm. I wanted to provide services to local groups, non-profits, businesses in the neighborhoods, and just people who needed a logo or flier or anything like that. The transition moment came in 2020 as the world just kind of went into a giant stop during COVID. GEM and myself were sitting around the dining room table talking and asking ourselves, “How do we want to move the needle forward? How do we want to continue to contribute to the community?” We remembered that there had been a conversation with Rhode Island Pride, the LGBTQ Center, Youth Pride, and others about youth homelessness that had not gone anywhere. So, we started our own conversation and gathered a group of friends that became the founding circle of Haus of Codec. That was GEM, myself, Alex Ruiz, Haley Johnson, and Charlotte Peters. The shelter opened on December 1st of 2020, and a week before Christmas we were full. It happened quite instantly. Christmas was the biggest wake up call for us. We started receiving a lot of texts, phone calls, and emails saying things like, “I’ve been outed,” “I’ve been kicked out of my home,” “I came out during Christmas and it wasn’t received well. So now I’m homeless, or don’t feel safe at home.” We had to start a waiting list, which has now seen over 500 entries and is still one of the ways in which we receive referrals for our clients.
GEM: I was someone who came out when I was a young person, and it was not well received by my family. I experienced a mental health crisis due to being told that my existence wasn’t going to be appreciated or supported, and ended up being homeless because of that. So this has been something that’s been really personal to me. The struggles that I went through as a young person, if we can prevent even one person from having to go through what I went through, then I consider our work successful.
How has Haus of Codec grown since 2021?
Julio: The emergency shelter has expanded, growing from six to ten beds. Clients can stay there for up to a year. They can use our address as a permanent address so they can get mail, get their vital records, and things like that. We’ve added a transitional housing program, which is a two-year program for young people to live in a housing facility, and we’ve added a rapid rehousing program for permanent housing where young people live in their own apartments.
GEM: One of the things that we are really proud of as an organization is that we provide free access to mental health and talk therapy. As we’ve grown, we’ve been able to bring on a licensed clinical social worker to have direct access with our young people. So if there is a crisis, they can reach out to them at that moment. If young people want to go out and find their own therapist that best suits their needs, we’re able to support that and pay for co-pays if they need those. We really want people to be able to access mental health care without any barriers. That really can be a deciding factor for someone getting themselves out of homelessness.
How can people support the work that Haus of Codec does?
GEM: We promote our work and raise funds through our community art markets. Every other month throughout the year we host large community art fairs. We have between 40 and 50 art vendors come out to show and sell their crafts and their creative practices. People can also support by donating directly. We have a couple of means for folks to support, like simply making a donation on our website, or following us on Instagram. We also do a monthly drag trivia at Black Sheep, which helps raise money for our program. We’re going to be starting them at Moniker Brewery once a month as well. We also have our annual fundraising event, Living Colors, happening on October 4 at Farm Fresh. We’ll have a live and silent auction, amazing food, a bar, live art, installations, and music. It’s a place where our community can come together to support the work that we do.
Julio: It is more important than ever for people to show up and support. Support can manifest in a lot of different ways, not just monetary support. You can provide your time and body to help at the house with the young people. Maybe cook a meal for them, start a reading club, a crocheting club, or a movie club. Something fun that brings community to our young people that are living at our housing facility. Providing a workshop on a certain topic… like Adulting 101. Those things are really important for young people not knowing what to do with their lives, with zero survival skills. We’re here to hold their hand and show them the many paths that are out there. If you want to join us on that journey, please reach out. •