How Norix Helped Furnish a Safer, More Dignified Space for the Salvation Army Tucson

When the Salvation Army Tucson began redesigning its Hospitality House—a 34,000 sq ft transitional housing facility serving the city’s unhoused population—they needed more than just beds and chairs. They needed furniture that could support trauma-informed care, endure 24/7 use, resist pests, and help residents feel safe, respected, and at home.

To accomplish that, they turned to Norix Furniture, a trusted partner known for its high-performance, human-centered solutions for challenging environments.

A Facility Built for Impact

The newly constructed Hospitality House includes:

  • 114 beds and two apartments for families
  • A seven-day emergency shelter
  • A four-month transitional housing program
  • Support services including healthcare access, job assistance, and life-skills training

With a steady flow of residents and a mission rooted in healing and transformation, the furniture needed to do more than just fill rooms. It had to actively support safety, recovery, and dignity.

The Challenge: Durable, Trauma-Informed, and Easy to Maintain

The project team, Kaiser Business Interiors, Swaim Associates Architects, and Norix, worked closely to meet specific requirements:

Durability & Performance

Furniture had to withstand constant use in a high-turnover environment. Breakage, warping, or peeling would not only incur replacement costs, but risk resident safety.

Pest Resistance & Cleanability

With shared living areas, hygiene is paramount. All furniture had to be easy to sanitize, resistant to bed bugs, and free from hidden crevices where pests or contraband could hide.

Safety & Security

The facility required ligature-resistant, tamper-proof furniture that couldn’t be dismantled or weaponized, particularly in sleeping quarters and communal areas.

Resident-Centered Design

Institutional looks were out. The Salvation Army wanted modern, home-like furnishings that promote dignity and comfort, important factors in trauma-informed environments.

The Norix Solution

Yvonne Brooks, Norix Consultative Sales Representative, collaborated with the design team to select furniture that met all of the above criteria while remaining aesthetically warm and inviting.

Key Furniture Solutions

“We wanted to create a space that was as homelike as it could be for clients that are regularly in a state of distress,” Kaiser said.

Why Purpose-Built Furniture Matters in Transitional Housing

Whether you’re furnishing a small shelter or a city-wide initiative, the right furniture impacts safety, staff efficiency, and resident outcomes.

Norix Products Are:

  • Purpose-designed for behavioral health and housing
  • Built for 24/7 use in high-traffic facilities
  • Tested for safety, sanitation, and resilience

Created with dignity in mind, blending residential aesthetics with commercial-grade strength

Frequently Asked Furniture Questions

How does furniture support trauma recovery?

By offering stability, transparency (nothing to hide drug paraphernalia or pests), and the sensory comfort of home‑like textures, well‑designed furniture helps residents feel safe and respected, a key step toward regaining trust in their environment.

Why is modularity important?

Transitional programs evolve quickly. Furniture that can be rearranged or repurposed, like the Protégé® bunks, allows staff and residents to tailor spaces as needs shift, supporting autonomy and engagement.

What maintenance advantages do sealed‑seam mattresses provide?

They block fluid and pest penetration completely, eliminating hidden harborage points for bed bugs or mold and enabling faster, more thorough cleaning, bolstering both physical health and resident confidence in their living space.

Results: A Stronger, Safer Environment for Healing

By the time installation wrapped in early 2015, the Hospitality House was fully outfitted with Norix furniture, including:

These products didn’t just check boxes. They helped transform a shelter into a supportive space for recovery, empowerment, and dignity.

“The idea of being involved with a project that is both a notable addition to the Tucson community and an interesting design challenge was very exciting to me,” Kaiser said. “It was of the utmost importance to me and my team to provide a complete solution that met all of the unique requirements of a shelter environment.”

Interested In Upgrading Your Healthcare Facility? 

Anti ligature. Ballastable. Greenguard Gold certified. Norix furniture checks every box. Request a quote today for your facility.

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