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Serenity House reports shelter use and housing support needs as Clallam County point‑in‑time count rises
Summary
Serenity House staff told the council that coordinated entry and housing-support programs served more than 2,300 clients during the year; the county’s point‑in‑time (PIT) count rose from 179 in 2022 to 310 in 2025. Staff said the shelter served 618 unique people with 42,679 bed nights and that seniors represented a growing share of people who are
Serenity House, the nonprofit that operates Port Angeles’ emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and eviction‑prevention programs, presented an annual update to the City Council on Sept. 15 and summarized the county’s most recent point‑in‑time (PIT) count.
Snapshot of services: Matthew Wilson, business development manager for Serenity House, summarized agency activity. He said Serenity House operates three permanent supportive housing sites and two transitional programs; the agency also operates a family shelter (Evergreen Family Village) and the adult shelter in Port Angeles.
Over the last year Serenity House reported: - Shelter service to 618 unique clients and a total of about 42,679 assigned bed nights during the year; roughly 50,000 meals were distributed through shelter services and associated food programs. - Coordinated Entry and related programs recorded more than 2,394 client records for services such as eviction prevention, move‑in assistance, rental and utility arrears payments, and referrals to housing programs.
Point‑in‑time trends: Staff presented PIT count trends showing the total homeless count in Clallam County increasing from 179 in 2022 to 310 in 2025, an increase of 131 people (about a 70% rise). Staff noted part of the rise reflects expanded counting guidelines in 2024 (which added transitional housing to the PIT count) but emphasized the overall upward trend and growing needs.
Seniors and healthcare: Staff and community partners raised concern about the share of older adults among people without stable housing. Wilson said the shelter and services are seeing people aged 55+ in meaningful numbers and told council that local health partners had identified several sheltered residents who likely require nursing‑level care or significant home‑health services that the shelter cannot provide.
Funding and gaps: Serenity House staff described funding as a mix of state and federal grants (about 81% of operating revenue), thrift‑store proceeds (about 10%), private donations (about 5%), rent and small program revenue (about 3%) and private foundations (about 1%). Staff said grant timing and possible state or federal funding changes create program risk and that the agency faces a roughly $400,000 gap to sustain current program levels for its permanent supportive housing sites and shelter operations.
Call to action: Serenity House requested community support and outlined a giving program that would ask individuals to contribute $15 per month; staff said 3,000 monthly donors at that level would close the identified operating gap and provide flexible, unrestricted funds.
What was said: Matthew Wilson described the agency’s mission as “to reduce homelessness in Clallam County” and emphasized eviction prevention, landlord negotiation and housing stabilization work in addition to nightly shelter. He also asked the public and officials to consider the needs of older adults whose care needs can exceed shelter capabilities.
Next steps: Council received the presentation; staff and community partners will continue coordinated entry activities and seek additional funding and partnerships to meet shelter and supportive‑housing needs.
