FAQ
- What is SECU Family House?
- Who can stay at the House?
- How Can I Stay/What do I need to do?
- How do I know if I have a room?
- Are admissions prioritized?
- Who can use the House?
- How long can a family stay?
- What is the cost?
- What are the rules?
- May I have visitors?
- Is transportation provided?
- May I get mail at the House?
- What does the House offer?
- Is the House for patients or just family members/caregivers?
- Things to remember before coming for your stay
- What’s nearby?
What is SECU Family House?
A shared “home away from home” for patients and families in medical crisis, SECU Family House serves UNC Hospitals’ adult critical care patients. We have 40 private bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Each bedroom has a TV. Eight of these rooms are suites especially reserved for immune-suppressed patients and their families. Each bedroom accommodates up to three people. Linens and towels are provided at check-in. A family kitchen, with lockers for each guest room, is available for guests who want to bring groceries and prepare their own meals. Several common rooms and sitting areas help provide guests a comforting, home-like setting. Other amenities at the House include Internet access and laundry facilities provided free-of-charge to guests.
Who can stay at the House?
SECU Family House is open to all adult (18 years and older) patients at UNC Hospitals and their family members and caregivers. Guests must have a permanent home address and must live more than 30 miles from Chapel Hill, unless their physician specifies a shorter travel time (patients/families who live less than 30 miles from Chapel Hill are allowed on a night-to-night basis if space is available). There is a limit of one room per family. Most rooms can accommodate no more than 3 guests. All rooms are reserved on a wait-list basis.
How Can I Stay/What do I need to do?
Once the SECU Family House receives a referral from UNC Hospitals or a clinic, you will be placed on a waiting list for the day you will be arriving in Chapel Hill. If it is your first visit, the Family House will contact you directly, either by phone or by mail ahead of time. After your name is placed on the waiting list, you will need to call the House between 11 am and 2 pm on the day you will be arriving to see if we have a room available. A hotel referral at a reduced rate may be made if we do not have space available. If your circumstances change, causing you not to need a room, please be sure to call the Family House back and let us know you will not be coming. That frees up a room for another family.
How do I know if I have a room?
We operate on a wait-list basis. You will need to call the House on the day you expect to arrive to find out if space is available.
Are admissions prioritized?
Admission requests are prioritized based on the medical condition of the patient and the availability of other options for housing, e.g., a sleep bed in the patient’s room at the Hospital.
Who can use the House?
Adult (18 years of age and older) critical care patients from all over North Carolina and other parts of the Southeast who are being treated at UNC Hospitals for a number of life-threatening illnesses or accidents (cancer, bone marrow, and stem cell transplant, organ transplant, burn, trauma, and serious eating disorders).
How long can a family stay?
A guest’s length of stay is directly related to his/her treatment needs. The House works with the medical and social work team to determine the necessary length of stay. Some guests stay only one or two nights, some for several weeks, and some for months. If your stay is going to exceed 21 days, please contact the House Manager.
What is the cost?
The nightly fee is $35 for a twin or queen bedded room, and $50 for a suite that includes room linens, use of kitchen and laundry and the rest of the facilities. Upon admission to the House, the guest is expected to pay up to one week in advance and each week thereafter. In addition to cash or check, we accept American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Guests may apply for financial assistance by contacting the House Manager, Janice Ross, at janice@secufamilyhouse.org.
What are the rules?
Our primary concern is that the guests staying at the House are safe and comfortable. We must therefore ask that each guest abide by the simple rules that we have established. Disruptive or irresponsible behavior that threatens the security or well-being of our guests will not be tolerated and will result in the loss of House privileges. We do expect that you will use the House for the purpose for which it is intended–to enable you to receive treatment or visit your family member being treated at UNC Hospitals. We also expect that you will help keep the house clean and neat, including your room. There is no smoking inside the House or on the grounds, except in the designated smoking area. Upon admission to the House, all guests will receive more information on specific rules and consequences of disruptive behavior.
May I have visitors?
You may have visitors. Visiting hours are 9 am to 9 pm. Visitors are not allowed in guest rooms (common rooms only) and must sign in at the front desk.
Is transportation provided?
Free bus service (HU Express) to and from UNC Hospitals runs between 5:30 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The stop is in front of Ronald McDonald House (next door).
Between 6:00 pm and 1:00 am on weekdays, the hospital provides a smaller shuttle for trips back and forth.
There is limited shuttle service on weekends.
City buses in Chapel Hill are free.
If there is an emergent transportation need, the House Manager will help facilitate transportation. Current Bus and Shuttle Schedule
May I get mail at the House?
You may receive mail at the House. Letters should be addressed to: Last Name/Family Name, c/o SECU Family House, 123 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517.
What does the House offer?
Housing: Most rooms at the House will accommodate a maximum of three guests, including, or associated with, one patient. Every room has a private bathroom, its own phone with voicemail, an in-room safe, a television and a full bathroom with a roll-in shower.
Entertainment: Cable television is available in each guest room; books, games, DVDs and videos are available and can be borrowed from the library. There are a limited number of video games and DVD players available at the front desk for check out. There is also a children’s playroom, access to walking trails, and a large courtyard with benches and a fountain.
Personal Items: Sanitary items, Sharps containers, toiletries, and diapers are available and should be requested as needed.
Is the House for patients or just family members/caregivers?
SECU Family House is for patients and family members/caregivers. SECU Family House is not a medical facility and no one is trained to provide treatment on site; however, patients are welcome to have home health agencies provide care here.
Things to remember before coming for your stay
- You MUST have a referral from UNC Hospitals to stay with us.
- Check-in is from 9AM-9PM, daily.
- There is no daily maid service or daily towel exchange. Bed and bath linens are provided here for you and will be exchanged for fresh ones weekly.
- We have laundry facilities but you may need to provide your own detergent.
- Don’t forget your personal toiletry items.
- We have a fully-equipped kitchen that you are welcome to use; feel free to bring groceries.
- The nightly fee is $35 for a twin or queen bedded room and $50 for a suite.
What’s nearby?
Whether you are already at the House or planning ahead, we hope that these lists will be helpful to you.
List of local free and low-cost activities
SECU Family House does not officially endorse any businesses referred to on these lists. We’re just trying to save you some time!