Grass Valley, CA (April 15, 2026) — Hospitality House has acquired 626 S. Auburn Street in Grass Valley, adding Empire Commons to its growing portfolio of affordable housing. The 11 “miners cabins” are ideal for 1-2 people, with most being less than 500 square feet. Formerly used as a mix of vacation rentals and housing, the new development will serve local workforce residents, veterans, families transitioning out of homelessness and individuals at risk of losing housing— solidifying the organization’s mission to create clear pathways from emergency shelter to interim and permanent housing.
The acquisition comes as California faces a deficit of 1.3 million affordable homes for lower-income residents, according to the California Housing Partnership — a shortage felt acutely in communities like Nevada County.
Empire Commons is the third development Hospitality House has completed in just six months, following Glenwood Commons and Glenwood Guest Home. With this addition, Hospitality House now provides 7 housing locations across Nevada County—serving families and individuals at every stage of their journey toward stability.
“Every unit we develop creates another rung on the ladder out of homelessness,” said Nancy Baglietto, Executive Director Hospitality House. “Growing our housing inventory means more of our neighbors—veterans, working families, people on the edge—have a real chance at stability and a home of their own.”
Community members and local businesses can be part of Empire Commons through the “Adopt a Cabin” program, which invites donors to help renovate and furnish individual units. To learn more or to get involved, call 530-615-0852.
About Hospitality House
The mission of Hospitality House is to bring homeless people in Nevada County into a circle of community caring that offers shelter, sustenance, advocacy, opportunity, dignity, and hope as they transition from homelessness to housing. For more information about Hospitality House, visit hhshelter.org.