Frequently Asked Questions
Discover answers to questions below related to homelessness and 2828 Martin Way. If you don't see an answer to one of your questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to help.
The 2828 Martin Way Team |
Ask a Question
|
Who will live in the shelter and the apartments? How will people be placed?
We currently operate a 42 bed overnight shelter for single adults, couples without dependent children, and their pets. The majority of our beds (37) are “assigned beds.” This means that the bed belongs to a specific person and is theirs as long as they need it. They leave their personal belongings at the shelter and they have the same spot each night. The rest of our beds (5) are “lottery beds,” or “one night stay beds.” This means that folks show up each night and put their name in for a bed, and if their name is drawn they get a bed for the night. Currently, we turn away 5 - 8 people per night in this process. However, we anticipate that because 2828 Martin Way will be outside of the downtown core, we will have fewer people showing up for the lottery beds, and we may need to rethink the lottery process and move towards more assigned beds.
For housing placement, there are two considerations - client income, and where the client is in the Coordinated Entry system.
Of the 60 planned units, 20 will be available to clients who are at or below 50% AMI, which mean the client earns 50% or less of the area median income. The remaining 40 units will be available to clients who are at or below 30% AMI, meaning the client earns 30% or less of the area median income - these could go to people who are literally homeless, and have little to no income. Once the income requirements are met, the Coordinated Entry system is used to place people.
The State of Washington requires that all social service agencies that receive state funding utilize a system of “Coordinated Care” to ensure that there is a key point of access - a “Coordinated Entry” - to shelter, housing and services. The system also requires that shelter and housing resources are prioritized based on a “Vulnerability Index.” In short, this means that people who are most likely to die on the street - people who are most “vulnerable” - are prioritized for services. In Thurston County there are three agencies that manage Coordinated Entry - Family Support Center, for families with dependent children; Community Youth Services, for unaccompanied youth under 17 and ages 18 - 24; and Community Action Council, for single adults and couples.
Coordinated Entry paves the way for more efficient homeless assistance systems by helping people move through the system faster, maximizing the impact of existing resources by prioritizing higher needs households for more intensive programs, reducing new entries into homelessness by consistently offering resources up front, and improving data collection and quality by providing accurate information on what kind of assistance consumers need.
For housing placement, there are two considerations - client income, and where the client is in the Coordinated Entry system.
Of the 60 planned units, 20 will be available to clients who are at or below 50% AMI, which mean the client earns 50% or less of the area median income. The remaining 40 units will be available to clients who are at or below 30% AMI, meaning the client earns 30% or less of the area median income - these could go to people who are literally homeless, and have little to no income. Once the income requirements are met, the Coordinated Entry system is used to place people.
The State of Washington requires that all social service agencies that receive state funding utilize a system of “Coordinated Care” to ensure that there is a key point of access - a “Coordinated Entry” - to shelter, housing and services. The system also requires that shelter and housing resources are prioritized based on a “Vulnerability Index.” In short, this means that people who are most likely to die on the street - people who are most “vulnerable” - are prioritized for services. In Thurston County there are three agencies that manage Coordinated Entry - Family Support Center, for families with dependent children; Community Youth Services, for unaccompanied youth under 17 and ages 18 - 24; and Community Action Council, for single adults and couples.
Coordinated Entry paves the way for more efficient homeless assistance systems by helping people move through the system faster, maximizing the impact of existing resources by prioritizing higher needs households for more intensive programs, reducing new entries into homelessness by consistently offering resources up front, and improving data collection and quality by providing accurate information on what kind of assistance consumers need.
Are there rules for residents, and how will they be enforced?
Yes, there are rules for residents, staff, and volunteers. All must read, sign, and abide by the Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program Space User Agreement.
Interfaith Works will provide 24/7 trained staffing on site at the shelter, with a minimum of two staff at all times and up to five staff members during waking hours. The permanent supportive housing will have two employees of LIHI - one live in maintenance and support staff, and a full time property management specialist who will be on site during business hours. Additionally, LIHI will contract with Interfaith Works to provide case management services to the residents of the permanent supportive housing program. This staff person will coordinate connection to clinical services and provide day to day support to increase stability once the client is housed.
Interfaith Works will provide 24/7 trained staffing on site at the shelter, with a minimum of two staff at all times and up to five staff members during waking hours. The permanent supportive housing will have two employees of LIHI - one live in maintenance and support staff, and a full time property management specialist who will be on site during business hours. Additionally, LIHI will contract with Interfaith Works to provide case management services to the residents of the permanent supportive housing program. This staff person will coordinate connection to clinical services and provide day to day support to increase stability once the client is housed.
Will this development attract more unsheltered people to the area?
No. The annual Thurston County Homeless Census continually indicates that the majority of homeless people are from the area, and that they, like housed people, tend to migrate towards urban hubs. Olympia is the urban hub of Thurston County and the majority of our unsheltered homeless are already from the county. There is no reason why we would expect this to change. With that said, Thurston County’s population is on the rise, and is expected to increase 20% by 2040. This includes people of all income levels and demographics.
What will the building look like?
The ground floor of the building will house a 60-bed shelter, increasing our sheltering capacity by nearly 50%. The space will include a full kitchen, bathrooms with showers, storage space, and washers and dryers. Above the shelter will be 60 apartments whose tenants will receive support services designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services. The building will have designated outdoor space. There will be an onsite parking lot to accommodate the expected number of cars for residents and staff. No camping, tents, or RVs will be permitted.
When we have designs to share we will post them here!
When we have designs to share we will post them here!
How do the costs break down for this development?
The development cost for the building is just over $16 million - about $3.5 million for the shelter, and the remainder for the 60 permanent supportive housing units.
The building will house a minimum of 120 people - at least 60 in the shelter and at least 60 in the apartments. In some cases more will be housed, because the shelter and apartments are also open to couples wishing to share a space. The cost per person is considerably lower than the average cost to construct a unit of housing, which currently stands at $300,000 per unit. By co-locating the shelter and the apartments the project is able to achieve considerable cost savings.
A large part of the construction cost is labor cost. Because this is a government project, contractors must pay their employees “prevailing wage,” which is usually the union wage. The project seeks to build robust that utilize long-lasting materials, which will contribute to cost savings over time.
When evaluating the cost of providing housing for people, it is important to remember that there is a significant cost to inaction. Homelessness is expensive for a community. Permanent Supportive Housing reduces the use of publicly funded crisis services, including jails, hospitalizations, and emergency departments. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that a chronically homeless person costs the tax-payer an average of $35,578 per year. Costs on average are reduced by 49.5% when they are placed in supportive housing. Supportive housing costs on average $12,800 per year, making the net savings roughly $4,800 per year. (Source)
The building will house a minimum of 120 people - at least 60 in the shelter and at least 60 in the apartments. In some cases more will be housed, because the shelter and apartments are also open to couples wishing to share a space. The cost per person is considerably lower than the average cost to construct a unit of housing, which currently stands at $300,000 per unit. By co-locating the shelter and the apartments the project is able to achieve considerable cost savings.
A large part of the construction cost is labor cost. Because this is a government project, contractors must pay their employees “prevailing wage,” which is usually the union wage. The project seeks to build robust that utilize long-lasting materials, which will contribute to cost savings over time.
When evaluating the cost of providing housing for people, it is important to remember that there is a significant cost to inaction. Homelessness is expensive for a community. Permanent Supportive Housing reduces the use of publicly funded crisis services, including jails, hospitalizations, and emergency departments. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that a chronically homeless person costs the tax-payer an average of $35,578 per year. Costs on average are reduced by 49.5% when they are placed in supportive housing. Supportive housing costs on average $12,800 per year, making the net savings roughly $4,800 per year. (Source)
Will this development impact property values in the area?
There is no evidence that property values diminish at all as a result of supportive housing development. There is both statistical and anecdotal evidence that property values actually increase. A 2008 study quantifying the impact of development on neighborhoods shows surrounding property values substantially increased in eight of nine neighborhoods surveyed. Common sense supports this notion since sponsors either turn blighted buildings into attractive new housing or build on abandoned empty lots that are frequently magnets for illegal activity. Furthermore, historically supportive housing has served as a catalyst for economic development. Because supportive housing either rehabilitates a decrepit building or builds on an empty lot, it improves a block’s look and feel. (Source)
Throughout Thurston County property values have been on the rise. This has been consistent in the neighborhood around the proposed site, even with other permanent supportive housing being built in the area.
Throughout Thurston County property values have been on the rise. This has been consistent in the neighborhood around the proposed site, even with other permanent supportive housing being built in the area.
How will this development fit into the bigger picture?
The existing shelter system is running at or over 100% occupancy and this development will free up shelter capacity both by giving current shelter guests the opportunity to move into permanent supportive housing units, and by increasing the Interfaith Works Shelter bed capacity by 50%.
It is important to note that this would be the first development project in Thurston County dedicated specifically to older individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness with persistent challenges related to their physical and mental health. All other developments have focused on a mix of specific populations (veterans, families with dependent children, young adults under age 24, people exiting jails, etc). This has routinely left the people who have been most visible on our streets and in our wooded areas out of the running for shelter and housing options.
We are hopeful that by providing shelter, housing, and support services in an area close to but outside of downtown that people who want to be outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown will have that option, and people who are severely disconnected from services, including those living in encampments, will have an opportunity to access shelter.
It is important to note that this would be the first development project in Thurston County dedicated specifically to older individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness with persistent challenges related to their physical and mental health. All other developments have focused on a mix of specific populations (veterans, families with dependent children, young adults under age 24, people exiting jails, etc). This has routinely left the people who have been most visible on our streets and in our wooded areas out of the running for shelter and housing options.
We are hopeful that by providing shelter, housing, and support services in an area close to but outside of downtown that people who want to be outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown will have that option, and people who are severely disconnected from services, including those living in encampments, will have an opportunity to access shelter.
How can the neighborhood stay informed and be part of the process?
Interfaith Works and its partners are committed to a full public process and engaging with the neighborhood on an ongoing basis. To date, there have been two public meetings at the VFW Hall on Martin Way and Pattison. Additionally, at our last neighborhood meeting we offered to pull together interested neighbors who want to stay more involved in the development plans for the property. If you live or work in the neighborhood and would like to have more involvement, please fill out the form below and let us know.
Additionally you can look at the City of Olympia website for updates about council activity regarding the development.
And finally, we welcome volunteers! Volunteers are an essential part of our program. For more information on volunteering with Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program visit our website.
Follow us on Facebook for ongoing updates on all of our programs.
Additionally you can look at the City of Olympia website for updates about council activity regarding the development.
And finally, we welcome volunteers! Volunteers are an essential part of our program. For more information on volunteering with Interfaith Works Homeless Services Program visit our website.
Follow us on Facebook for ongoing updates on all of our programs.
What does success look like, and how does this philosophy get you there?
Success looks like resolving homelessness for as many people as quickly as we can. This requires increasing the strength of our community safety net so that when people inevitably fall into homelessness we can respond quickly and efficiently as a community to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief, and one time only. This involves increasing the supply of low income units in our rapidly growing community, and decreasing impacts to dependence on law enforcement and emergency services so that they can do their job effectively and save tax payers money. Success is a thriving community for everyone - when those with the least among us have access to having their basic needs met and the opportunity to better their lives it is better for them, better for business, better for government.
We have seen for decades that those with the most complex challenges in our community are continuously left out of the service system. Before Interfaith Works Nightly shelter existed in its current state the Thurston County shelter system for single adults was running at less than 50% occupancy. This meant that while vulnerable people were sleeping on the streets, publicly funded shelter beds were empty every night. Today, with the strong influence and leadership of Interfaith Works, the Thurston County shelter system has shifted to serve more people more effectively and now operates at or above 100% occupancy every night. Getting people into the shelter system as fast as possible is a critical step to connecting them with permanent housing, mental health and substance use treatment services, and on the path to a higher quality of life.
We have seen for decades that those with the most complex challenges in our community are continuously left out of the service system. Before Interfaith Works Nightly shelter existed in its current state the Thurston County shelter system for single adults was running at less than 50% occupancy. This meant that while vulnerable people were sleeping on the streets, publicly funded shelter beds were empty every night. Today, with the strong influence and leadership of Interfaith Works, the Thurston County shelter system has shifted to serve more people more effectively and now operates at or above 100% occupancy every night. Getting people into the shelter system as fast as possible is a critical step to connecting them with permanent housing, mental health and substance use treatment services, and on the path to a higher quality of life.
Aren't you just enabling people?
Yes! We are!
- We are enabling people to get out of the doorways of businesses and the wooded areas of residential neighborhoods, and into a home of their own.
- We are enabling people to have access to an indoor 24 hour bathroom and hygiene services so they don’t go to the bathroom outside.
- We are enabling people to connect to primary care, mental health and substance use treatment so they can heal and move out of a cycle of crisis.
- We are enabling people to have an opportunity for stability which strengthens the stability of our entire community.
- We are enabling people to get preventative care rather than emergency response, to save significant amounts of taxpayer money.
- We are enabling people to have a longer, healthier life by increasing life expectancy with shelter and housing. New research found that the average homeless person has a life expectancy of 47 years for men, and 43 for women, compared to 77 years for the rest of the population.
- We are enabling people to feel a sense of belonging and community, to create art and music and enrich the world around them.
- We are enabling people to increase their incomes whether it be through employment, or social security disability benefits.
- We are enabling people to pay ⅓ of their income to rent and feel a sense of pride in having their own place to call home.
Got a question you didn't see here? Ask us!
Email us at info@2828MartinWay.org.
|
|