Our Story

Eddy House was founded by Lynette Eddy as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a clear mission: to create a safe environment for homeless and at-risk youth to develop the life and job skills necessary for sustainable independence. What began as a personal response to a growing crisis has evolved into Northern Nevada’s central resource for youth experiencing homelessness.

Eddy House purchased a 1,970-square-foot home on East 6th Street in downtown Reno. The goal was to provide stability for young people aging out of foster care who were falling through the cracks and ending up on the streets without support.

The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada launched the YOU’N-I (Youth Network Initiative), bringing together more than 200 regional service providers and youth with lived experience in homelessness and the foster care system. This community collaboration confirmed the urgency and relevance of Eddy House’s mission, as well as identified the need for a centrally located, low-barrier walk-in center where youth could safely access basic services and connect with providers.

Eddy House opened its first daytime Drop-In Center on 6th Street. For the next several years, this space served as a lifeline for youth in crisis, offering restrooms, snacks, water, referrals, and a safe place to rest.

As the number of young people in need continued to rise, Eddy House expanded. In January 2020, with support from the State of Nevada and generous donors, the organization moved into a new 16,000+ square foot facility. This marked a transformational moment, enabling 24-hour operations, overnight and weekend shelter, and the launch of residential programs for youth seeking stability.

Since then, Eddy House’s central facility has been renovated into an ADA-compliant client space featuring 80+ overnight beds, group kitchen, computer lab, clothing closet, laundry, restrooms with showers, daytime drop-in center, medical room, community rooms, and administrative offices.

The first graduates of our Community Living Program moved into a Transitional Living Program home on Ryland Street, designed for male clients pursuing long-term independence.

Eddy House was named a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development-approved EnVision Center, becoming the first EnVision Center in Nevada and the first in the nation focused specifically on youth.

Eddy House launched its Street Outreach Program, meeting youth where they are, on the streets, in parks, and in encampments with supplies, support, and connection to shelter and services.

Eddy House broke ground on a 36-unit studio apartment building. With the support of Eddy House, former homeless young adults were attaining great jobs, but they were still struggling to afford market rent. The need for affordable housing and ongoing support initiated this dream to build our Transitional Living Community.

Eddy House combined daytime services, including case management, therapy, workforce development, and life skills classes, into Comprehensive Day Programming. Youth were consistently requesting more accountability to take the steps to achieve their goals. Staff across departments are now more coordinated and collaborative than ever, and clients are setting goals and have clear and comprehensive support to achieve them.

With help from a transformational donation, Eddy House launched the Eddy House Hangout, a mobile drop-in center designed to travel to area high schools and provide essential items and support. Consistent client data showed that approximately 40% of youth were experiencing homelessness before the age of 18.

The first residents moved into TLC 36, our new Transitional Living Community. Learn more about this project on Our Blog