Whether it is through a job loss that has led to an eviction or an unforeseen financial crisis, many Gordon County families have found themselves without a stable place to lay their heads at night.

That is where The Bridge Program steps in to provide families with a place to stay temporarily until more stable housing can be found.

The Bridge’s emergency housing program places families in hotels for a short time frame.

“We can house a family for up to 30 days,” said Stacey Abernathy, executive director of Calhoun Affordable Housing.

The Bridge also helps move families to transitional housing for a longer period of time; however Abernathy says that program could soon hit a roadblock.

“We are basically out of funds,” Abernathy said.

Earlier this month Abernathy reported to the Gordon County Homeless Task Force that the transitional housing program had about $15,000 to last four months.

“We have used up all of our funds placing families,” Abernathy said.

Next week Abernathy will receive an application to apply for more state funds through the Department of Community Affairs and the application is due back to the state in April.

The organization has also applied for funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) those funds will be used to house families who are emergency status, meaning they are in immediate need of a nighttime residence.

“They may have lost their home due to a fire, or they might simply have nowhere to go,” she said.

Abernathy says the Bridge Program is open to all families with children in Gordon County who are experiencing homelessness as defined by Housing and Urban Development. That definition means a family resides in an emergency shelter or in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons or resides in a place not meant for human habitation, such as a car.

The families are referred to the emergency 30-day housing program through organizations such as the Voluntary Action Center, Gordon County Domestic Violence Outreach or a school Family Advocate. Families must also show documentation of income to receive help.

Last year The Bridge helped place nearly 800 children and their families into emergency or transitional housing.