Six men being treated for mental health issues and substance abuse who used to live on the streets now reside under one roof. The men in the Kauffman House are all clients of Lifeline Connections, have the same case manager and can be in support groups together.
“We identified that men are the hardest to find housing for,” said Arianna Kee, program manager at Lifeline Connections, a rehabilitation center with offices in Vancouver and Orchards. “A lot of the people we’ve put in the (Kauffman) House have been homeless for years and years and years.”
In other transitional houses, residents don’t necessarily know who’s a client of which organization and may not be on the same page, Kee said. At the Kauffman House, it’s all out in the open. They don’t have to hide their issues, because they’re working through the same program to get better and gain independence.
The house has two three-bedroom units, one on each level of the house equipped with their own kitchens and bathrooms.
Lifeline clients often have trouble securing housing because of criminal and eviction histories, or because market rate housing is too expensive, Kee said. Toward the end of last year, Lifeline and Second Step Housing began talking about potential solutions for those living on the streets. Jared Sanford, the director of Lifeline Connections, is also on the board of directors for Second Step Housing, so there was a natural partnership.
And, the timing worked out just right. Second Step Housing already owned the six-bedroom house in the Lincoln neighborhood, which was empty after the prior occupants had moved on from transitional housing. The men, who range in age from early 20s to late 40s, began moving into the house in early spring. Each pay 30 percent of their income, which is reviewed quarterly, said Denise Stone, director of programs and asset management at Second Step Housing.
In the world of transitional housing, this is the first step toward building a positive rental history and working on those barriers to stable housing.
“You have to begin somewhere other than on the street where you can’t even shower for a job interview,” said Shannon Edgel, Lifeline spokeswoman.
The clients are part of Lifeline’s co-occurring program, meaning they were determined to have simultaneous mental health and addiction issues, which is a prevailing factor in long-term homelessness, Stone said. To live in the house, they have to stick with treatment and abstain from using drugs or alcohol.
Two residents are employed, Stone said. The rest are expected to engage in skill-building activities and search for jobs with assistance from WorkSource and Partners in Careers.
The residents were told they just have to keep the lawn mowed — not to be master gardeners because landscapers help tend to the properties owned by Second Step.
“I don’t think they heard the master gardener part,” Stone said. “I don’t think neighbors would have any complaints due to the look of the property.”
The residents have planted flowers around the house, cleaned out the garden boxes and planted new herbs and vegetables.
“They are amazing housekeepers,” Stone said. “If it were up to them, they would be remodeling and painting the house.”
There are weekly meetings to talk about happenings and problems in the house. Sharing walls with other people is a different, potentially scary and difficult experience for previously homeless men. As they learn the nuances of shared living, there’s the potential to build relationships with housemates that fortifies the sobriety and self-sufficiency they’re working toward. It’s another outlet, supported by group cohesion. Shared living, however, doesn’t work for everyone.
One client left the house after being aggressive and threatening housemates. He went into longer-term treatment in Seattle, Stone said.
“He actually maintained touch with us probably for about six weeks as we worked to fully discharge him,” she said.
Second Step opened its services and programs to men about three years ago. The organization used to be the housing arm of YWCA, primarily serving victims of domestic violence and single mothers. As the need grew and Second Step became its own entity, they recognized the need to include men.
Rental vacancies are low across the county and rents have increased dramatically, Kee said. She predicts the need for housing those with mental illness will continue to be high. The Kauffman House serves as a test case for, perhaps, similar homes that would house women and families.
