Community Services Northwest (CSNW) has been providing housing support services, information and referral since 2002, and made supportive housing a component of its core mission in 2008. We recognize that stable housing is a fundamental component of the recovery of individuals and families experiencing mental health disorders and addictions.
The ever-increasing momentum of government, corporate and philanthropic investment in supportive housing has been bolstered by research documenting its effectiveness. To date, these studies indicate:
-
Positive impacts on health: A decrease of more than 50% in tenants' emergency room visits and hospital inpatient days; a decrease of more than 80% in tenants' uses of emergency detoxification services; and an increase in the use of preventive health care services.
-
Positive impacts on employment: An increase of 50% in earned income; an increase of 40% in the rate of participant employment when employment services are provided in supportive housing; and a significant decrease of $1,448 per tenant in dependence on entitlements each year.
-
Positive impacts on treating mental illness. At least a third of those people living in streets and shelters have a severe and persistent mental illness. Supportive housing has proven to be a popular and effective approach for many mentally ill people, as it affords both independence and as-needed support.
-
Positive impacts on reducing or ending substance use. Once people with histories of substance use achieve sobriety, their living situations are often a factor in their ability to stay clean and sober.
Supportive housing services begin by creating an environment of stability and end in long-term self-sufficiency. Affordable housing, combined with support services, provides special-needs populations with essential tools for building the skills to end cycles of homelessness and instability. Participants have individually-designed goal plans and opportunities to engage in a broad range of support services. Services include access to mental health and addictions treatment, medical healthcare, tenant education, budgeting, childcare, supported employment and education.
Target Population: "Households in which at least one of the residents suffers from mental health disabilities, alcohol and/or drug addictions or a combination of disorders" is the way Clark County's current Consolidated Plan identifies the special-needs population most at risk of homelessness. The target population has the highest priority need for combined affordable housing and support services.
In support of these clients, CSNW manages five permanent supportive housing programs, two transitional supportive housing programs and a short-term rental assistance program for individuals and families in transition:
-
The Way Home and The Way Home Too are permanent supportive housing programs funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. They serve chronically homeless, disabled individuals who are diagnosed as chronic public inebriates.
-
The Welcome Home program is funded by Clark County Department of Community Services. The program serves chronically homeless individuals with a dual-diagnosis of mental health or physical disabilities and drug or alcohol addictions.
-
Family Housing Northwest provides intensive supportive housing services to families who have high needs resulting from multiple episodes of homelessness and very low or no incomes. The family housing program is funded by Washington Families Fund and SHARE.
-
Pilot Prisoner Re-Entry Housing Program is a permanent supportive housing program partnership between CSNW, Second Step Housing, Vancouver Housing Authority and Clark College funded by United Way. The program has a special focus on individuals released from incarceration who are in need of affordable supportive housing while they pursue an educational tract at Clark College.
-
The Re-Entry Housing Program of Clark County is a collaborative program partnership with Second Step Housing and the Department of Corrections. The program supports offenders who are at high risk of homelessness and recidivism as they re-enter into the community and seek self-sufficiency.
-
Homeless Grant Assistance Program (Quadrant 2) is a short-term rental assistance program with funding through Clark County Department of Community Services and the Department of Commerce. The program serves clients who need short-term financial assistance in order to make the transition from homelessness to permanent, stable housing.
CSNW owns and operates a tri-plex and a four-plex in Clark County that serve as quality permanent affordable housing opportunities for successful graduates of CSNW supportive housing programs.
In addition to the management of supported housing programs and housing properties, CSNW's Housing programs provide advocacy and housing information and referral to clients of the agency. The clients are homeless, at risk of homelessness or experiencing housing-related challenges. Housing receives approximately ten (10) client referrals for housing assistance every week.
Supportive Housing
CSNW plans to help reduce homelessness in Clark County by increasing the supply of permanent, affordable housing with on-site support services. Over the next two years, CSNW will build 22 new, affordable housing units. This project is designed to serve low-income individuals and families in Clark County who need decent, safe affordable housing directly connected to the support services that stabilize those prone to episodes of homelessness.
On-site service activities and amenities will include:
-
Educational and Recreational Activities
-
Mental health and addictions treatment services
-
Supported employment
-
Supported housing case management
-
Community gardens
-
Age appropriate children’s play areas
-
Indoor and outdoor community gathering spaces
-
Close proximity to public transportation, shopping and employment opportunities
CSNW's housing project addresses housing and support service priorities identified in the Clark County Consolidated Plan and the Clark County 10-Year Homeless Plan. In 2009, Community Services Northwest was selected to participate in the year-long Washington State Supportive Housing Institute. The Institute is a comprehensive training program designed to teach all aspects of affordable supportive housing.
|
