Washington Families Fund Awards $3.5 Million in New Grants to Help Reduce Family Homelessness Statewide
Washington Families Fund Awards $3.5 Million in New Grants to Help Reduce Family Homelessness Statewide
At their December 12, 2008 meeting, the Building Changes Board of Directors approved eight grants totaling $3,531,595 to service-enriched housing providers throughout the State of Washington. Grants were made in the following counties: Cowlitz, King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane (see complete listing below). Unique to this round is nearly $1 million in first-time grants in Cowlitz County, a county where about 10 percent of families and 14 percent of the population live below the poverty line, including 20 percent of those under age 18 and 7 percent of those age 65 or over (2000 Census data).
Poverty is not the only problem faced by residents of Cowlitz County. With upwards of $13 million in damages to homes and businesses from the January floods, it seems likely Cowlitz County will qualify for federal disaster assistance. Reflecting on the recent awards to service-enriched housing providers in Cowlitz County, Building Changes Deputy Director Alice Shobe noted an interesting comparison: "Homelessness has become a national disaster, resulting not only from weather-related catastrophes such as Cowlitz County experienced, but also from downturns in the economy, lack of livable wage jobs, poor health care for those who cannot afford insurance, and private and public sector funders struggling with budget cuts to essential services. Building Changes is honored to support the Drug Abuse Prevention Center and Emergency Support Shelter in Cowlitz County. These providers bring hope to homeless families who may be even more impacted by unexpected weather or economic downturns."
To date, the Washington Families Fund has granted nearly $13 million to 36 projects across the State, supporting 522 units of service-enriched housing. Our funding helps people make major changes in their lives and regain hope for their future. Take for example Jennifer, who enjoys support of one of this round's grantees, Tyler Square in Tacoma. Jennifer says that the most important thing regarding her new living situation is that she doesn't have to worry that she won't have a home for herself and her family. Having a stable place to live has allowed Jennifer to focus on the things that matter in life, like what her family needs in order to enjoy a healthier life. Jennifer notes: "My rent is affordable and I pay my bills every month. I am happier than I have ever been. It's a really good feeling to know I have direction."
The Washington Families Fund ensures that homeless families have the housing and services they need to move from crisis to stability. In 2008, 456 families—including 901 children and 549 individuals—were helped.
Read more in our 2008 End of Year Report.
Washington Families Fund 2008 Awards
Cowlitz County:
Drug Abuse Prevention Center
Award: $750,000
Project: Phoenix Housing (20 units)
WFF funds will support an early childhood education and assistance program for this new project that will serve homeless families consisting of single mothers who are pregnant or postpartum, have custody of at least one child, and have an assessed chemical dependency along with mental health and other co-occurring barriers. The project will provide supported housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, specialized children's services, physical health care, domestic violence and/or sexual assault services, family reunification, individual case management, and access to vocational and other services as required on an individual basis.
Emergency Support Shelter
Award: $224,340
Project: Service Enriched Housing for Women and Children (8 units)
WFF funds will be used to enhance case management services offered to women and children in the transitional housing program. The funds will also support a partnership with Lower Columbia Community Action Program to add services specific to employment training and parenting skills for the women. In addition, there will be an enhancement to children's services: to help them learn to verbalize their feelings and emotions as well as learn tools to allow them to make healthier choices when dealing with the trauma of having experienced or witnessed domestic violence.
King County:
Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services
Award: $375,000
Project: A Place of Our Own (10 units)
WFF funds will support intensive case management and wrap-around supportive services to chronically homeless Deaf and Deaf-Blind adults and their children who are also victims of domestic violence. Services include resource referral, individual and group therapy, parenting training, life skills, 24-hour crisis line, advocacy, and housing assistance. Children's services include recreational activities, support groups, individual therapy, and one-on-one group training to the Deaf residents who have few positive parenting skills and are dealing with very troubled children.
YWCA of Seattle-King County and Snohomish County
Award: $490,000
Project: Young Parents Program (14 units)
WFF funds will be used to increase staffing in order to improve and enhance the employment and education case management available to young parents, ages 18 to 25. The Employment Specialist will enhance services by strengthening employer partnerships to increase job opportunities, developing relationships with four-year universities to help young parents achieve long-term goals, and continuing to work with program participants after they move into permanent housing to ensure employment retention and wage progression.
Pierce County:
Intercommunity Mercy Housing
Award: $235,830
Project: Eliza McCabe and Hillside Gardens (18 units)
WFF funds will be used to support case management and employment services for homeless families with children at Eliza McCabe Townhomes and Hillside Gardens Apartments in Tacoma. Intercommunity Mercy Housing is the lead agency and housing provider. Case management services will be provided by Phoenix Housing Network and the Parent-Child Assistance Program. Employment services will be provided by Tacoma Goodwill Industries.
Tacoma Rescue Mission
Award: $581,310
Project: Tyler Square (27 units)
WFF funds will support a Career Coach who will help clients access vocational training, postsecondary education, apprenticeships, and employment. The Career Coach will continue contact with clients as they graduate from the program and move into the community to ensure that they stay employed, or to help them with any other issue that threatens to return them to homelessness. Funds will also provide tuition, fees, books, childcare, transportation, tools and equipment related to employment or education.
Snohomish County:
Housing Hope
Award: $715,000
Project: New Century Village (26 units)
WFF funds will be used to provide services for homeless pregnant and parenting teens/young parents. Housing Hope will provide comprehensive case management services that are strengths-based, solution-focused and outcomes-driven. Services include life skills classes, parent education, adult education and support, employment services, childcare, community and support network-building skills.
Spokane County:
Catholic Charities of Spokane
Award: $110,115
Project: Walnut Corner (10 units)
WFF funds will provide case management and an enriched service environment for ten families living in permanent, stable housing. Family members will be coming from jail or treatment facilities; some are fleeing from domestic violence and others from living in their cars on the street. Families served in this program have been diagnosed with a physical disability, mental illness and/or addiction to drugs and/or alcohol.
