Columbia River Mental Health Services is teaming up with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington to open a new homeless shelter in Clark County.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington will lease Elahan Place, a former rehabilitation and treatment center on Northeast Ninth Street in the Five Corners area, as a continuous, non-congregate stay shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
The new shelter, named Bertha’s Too, will have 32 beds for single women and couples, as well as individuals older than 55, according to a press release.
Organizers hope to open the shelter this fall. Once open, Columbia River Mental Health Services will provide behavioral health care for shelter residents.
In conjunction with Bertha’s Place, a central Vancouver shelter, Clark County will have 94 additional shelter beds.
“As we approach the colder seasons, it is critical to have more shelter beds in Clark County. This partnership is perfect for the former Elahan Place facility,” Victor Jackson, CEO of Columbia River Mental Health Services, said in a press release. “Many people accessing shelters have experienced past trauma and may be living with mental health or substance use disorders. This partnership gives shelter residents direct access to our programs and therapists.”
Access to the shelter will be made available through the Clark County coordinated entry system, which is operated by Council for the Homeless, a Clark County nonprofit
