Safe and affordable housing is an urgent need in Clallam County. Those most impacted by this crisis are individuals and families who are either living in poverty or who are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed. ALICE households earn less than the cost of basic necessities but more than the Federal Poverty Line, meaning they are not typically eligible for public assistance. In Clallam and Jefferson Counties, those living in poverty or paycheck to paycheck include:
- 70% of all children
- 83% of all enrolled kindergarteners
- 100% of all Native American children
United Way of Clallam County has made housing a priority because we understand the critical role it plays in preventing families from falling into a permanent cycle of poverty. Learn more about ALICE and explore the new report here: https://unitedforalice.org
Collaborative Efforts
The housing crisis in Clallam County does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. That is why United Way of Clallam County is working collaboratively with other organizations that have a stake and/or expertise in the areas related to housing and homelessness. Only together can we find real and permanent solutions to this crisis.
United Way of Clallam County has a presence in multiple collaborative efforts to address and end homelessness, including generating more affordable housing in Clallam County.
Homelessness Task Force
The Clallam County Commissioners established the Clallam County Homelessness Task Force (HTF) in 2005 to serve as an advisory committee to help improve services for county citizens dealing with issues of housing or homelessness. United Way of Clallam County has a permanent position on the committee and plays a vital role in helping award funds to nonprofits that are doing the work in the community. The task force holds quarterly meetings.
The HTF believes that decent housing is a basic human right for everyone and is resolved to end homelessness in Clallam County.
Homelessness Task Force Members:
Housing Solutions Committee
The Clallam County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) established the Housing Solutions Committee in March 2022 to develop programs to promote housing solutions in Clallam County. The Committee makes recommendations to the BOCC and the Opportunity Fund Board for the spending of funds related to housing solutions and affordable housing. United Way of Clallam County CEO Christy Smith was selected as the committee's first chair. She leads the committee's monthly meetings.
Housing Solutions Committee Members:
Sequim Health & Housing Collaborative
In response to a request by the City of Sequim in the fall of 2018, nine organizations joined to form the Sequim Health and Housing Collaborative (SHHC). SHHC is creating a unique outreach network that promotes community health and offers pathways to housing using a synergistic and unified approach. United Way of Clallam County joined the collaborative in 2022 as the financial sponsor and has a presence at its twice-monthly meetings. The Collaborative's areas of work are:
Sheltering • Behavioral Health • Physical Health • Substance Use Disorder • Food Insecurity • Family Support Services • Outreach & Advocacy • Prevention
Sequim Health & Housing Collaborative Members:
Impact Funding
In January 2023, United Way of Clallam County announced $300,000 in impact funding to nonprofit groups whose work is based in our focus areas of safe and affordable HOUSING, strong and secure FAMILIES, and lifelong LEARNING to ensure a strong workforce. $150,000 of those funds went to three organizations dedicated to creating safe and affordable housing solutions. The purpose of the funding is to make a gift large enough to allow for a tangible impact in the community. The monies were given using a trust-based philanthropy model, meaning that United Way believes the organizations receiving the funds are the most qualified to use them to the greatest positive benefit of the community. As Community Impact Director Mary Beth Gregory shared, the trust-based philanthropy model is "rooted in advancing equity by shifting the balance of power away from funding groups and towards the organizations doing the work on the ground."
Read on to learn more about the housing-focused recipients of the impact funds:
Sarge's Veteran Support
Formerly North Olympic Regional Veteran’s Housing Network (NORVHN), Sarge's Veteran Support provides housing services for homeless Veterans and formerly homeless Veterans at three locations; Sarge's Place, Camp Sol Duc and The Outpost. Sarge's Veteran Support also provides referrals and service-connected disability claim work for those within Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
In 2023, United Way of Clallam County gave $50,000 in impact funding to Sarge's Veteran Support for their work addressing the issue of veteran homelessness in Clallam County.
Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County
Habitat provides affordable housing and home repair to qualified applicants, and is committed to giving hardworking, low-income people a hand up, not a handout. Habitat's mission is to bring people together in Clallam County to build simple, affordable homes to help local families permanently escape poverty.
In 2023, United Way of Clallam County gave $50,000 in impact funding to Habitat to help them extend their work to even more families in Clallam County.
Sequim Health & Housing Collaborative
SHHC is creating a unique outreach network that promotes community health and offers pathways to housing a synergistic and unified approach. Its goals are to:
- Address health and access disparities in Sequim
- Research needs and gaps of service
- Build capacity and increase access to services in Sequim
- Implement strategic outreach and service delivery
- Build campaign for its Solution Center capital project
In 2023, United Way of Clallam County gave $50,000 in impact funding to SHHC to help further its work.
Funded Partners
In addition to our collaborative efforts and impact funding, United Way of Clallam County also provides funding to the following nonprofit organizations who focus on issues related to housing and homelessness:
Catholic Community Services
Volunteers provide services like transportation, home chores, etc., which allow elderly and disabled residents throughout the county to retain their dignity and independence.
Lutheran Community Services
Provides county-wide childcare resources and referral, supervised visits for parents, and support services for families affected by substance abuse throughout Clallam County.
Mariposa House
Provides 24-hour crisis response and shelter, medical, legal, and advocacy based counseling to victims of domestic / sexual violence in the West End of the County.
Serenity House
Working to prevent and eliminate homelessness in Clallam County. Serenity House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services and counseling, and assistance to homeless and at-risk individuals and families.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Funds are used for client assistance, generally to prevent homelessness and the disconnection of utilities.
St. Andrew's Place
Provides a home-like atmosphere, social activities, and assistance to low-income residents, while enhancing the right of choice, dignity, and independence. Located in Port Angeles.
How you can help
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