Santa Clarita’s homeless shelter, Bridge to Home, is saying farewell to Executive Director Tim Davis, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service.

Davis’ retirement was announced earlier this week and more than 50 applications have been submitted for the position. His final day isn’t set until the perfect candidate has been found.

“Once we have a new executive director hired and in place, (I’ll train them) for 30 days, then retire,” Davis said.

Davis was born into a military family and served in the military for 21 years, moving around to various parts of the country before co-founding Bridge to Home.

Davis is retiring from his “third career” and heading to Huntsville, Alabama to be closer to his five grandchildren. He is most excited to be able to play with his grandchildren but says he will miss many of the people his has met in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“There are so many very nice people in Santa Clarita,” Davis said. “So many nice people and I’m going to miss a bunch of those.”

The Board of Directors said “we are so very grateful for the service and leadership that Tim and Laurel Davis have given to our community,” in a statement published to the Bridge to Home website.

Bridge to Home provides support services – including an emergency winter shelter case management, housing navigation, and medical and dental clinics – that help individuals and families in the Santa Clarita Valley transition out of homelessness. Bridge to Home is funded through contracts with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, subcontracts with Los Angeles Family Housing, private and public grants, and extensive in-kind donations and participation from the local community, according to their website. Bridge to Home is a growing organization that currently operates with a year round staff of 13, an annual cash budget of approximately $600,000, and an annual in-kind budget of approximately $300,000.

The new executive director will work with an energetic board of directors, a strong, compassionate staff, and a supportive community as we design and implement plans to build a new permanent facility and new ways to effectively serve the homeless residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, according to the job posting.

More information, including a detailed job announcement with qualifications and directions on how to apply, can be found at their website.