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Housing Opportunities: Phoenix House reports seven families rehoused, expands services
Summary
Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washington told the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners that Phoenix House, a 20-unit communal supportive-housing program, increased service activity over the past year and moved seven families to independent housing.
Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washington updated the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on Phoenix House, a 20-unit communal permanent supportive-housing project, reporting increased service activity, a modest annual operating subsidy and early positive outcomes since Housing Opportunities took over onsite services.
Jennifer Westerman, CEO of Housing Opportunities, introduced staff and said the agency brought property-management and supportive-services functions in-house after prior service providers left. Richelle Burch (strategic planner and formerly supportive services manager) summarized last year's service metrics: Phoenix House staff made 63 referrals to community resources and residents accessed those referrals 107 times; the program reported five Department of Children, Youth and Families cases closed and seven children reunited with parents; seven families moved from Phoenix House to other permanent housing in the past year.
Burch said, "Last year, when we come to speak with you guys, we were awarded approximately $133,000 for the services and the operation," describing the award as the principal services and operations funding for the year. Phoenix House operates as five communal "pods" of four bedrooms each; each resident rents a private bedroom (with bathroom) and shares kitchen and living space. The project was financed from multiple sources when built and has restrictions set by funders and the Washington State Department of Commerce on maximum allowable rents that limit monthly revenue from some residents.
Housing Opportunities staff described the program as permanent supportive housing that does not require residents to move out when incomes rise, but staff encourage residents to transition to independent housing as they become ready and suitable units become available. Staff said services are on-site and a services provider is on call 24/7; the agency also provides training and referrals that include job-readiness and rent-well education. Housing Opportunities said it subsidizes the difference between rent revenue and operating needs; Commerce O&M grants help but do not fully close the operating gap.
Staff noted several program changes since Housing Opportunities assumed service delivery: the property is now open to men with children in addition to women and children; a rent-success coordinator and on-site case management help residents pursue employment, housing searches and enroll in community services; and the agency has improved turnover so that units become available for new referrals. Staff offered to provide additional cost-per-family and outcome tracking in future updates to better quantify the program's per-family subsidy and time-to-exit metrics.
The board was invited to a June 10 grand opening for the agency's new complex; Housing Opportunities said it will return with more longitudinal data on program costs and participant outcomes in future reporting.
