Family Tree: House of Hope in Englewood reports high demand, 68% of clients exit to stable housing
Loading...
Summary
Family Tree presented details about House of Hope, a 90‑day emergency family shelter (now serving whole families) and reported 4,384 nights of shelter YTD, strong housing outcomes (68% to safe/stable housing, 21% to permanent housing) and high daily turnaways; Marshall Street Landing PSH has 85 units with 37 leased as of last week.
Erin Cassidy, vice president of residential services at Family Tree, and Miriam Kyserauskas, program director for House of Hope and Goals, presented the agency’s shelter operations and outcomes to the Tri Cities Homelessness Policy Group.
“House of Hope is a 90 day emergency shelter for families,” Miriam said, describing intake and eligibility (households must have at least one child under age 18), 14 individual rooms with lockable doors, 24/7 staffing and overnight security. She noted the program recently expanded to serve whole families rather than only women and children so families do not have to separate.
Erin reviewed service metrics for the fiscal year (fiscal year starts July 1): “Year to date, we've provided 4,384 nights of shelter” and Family Tree projects about 12,000 nights this fiscal year. She said 82 clients have been served year to date, with a projection of 382 clients for the full year. Erin reported housing outcomes: “68% of our clients currently, within the 4 months of our fiscal year exiting to safe and stable housing,” and 21% exiting to permanent housing — a rate she said is above the national average for emergency shelters.
Speakers emphasized high demand and resource gaps. Erin said Family Tree receives nearly 1,000 helpline and resource calls in four months and is turning people away every day; the biggest need she identified is rental assistance. Miriam outlined supports at House of Hope including food, hygiene items, weekly case management, volunteers who maintain shared spaces and monthly clinics via Stride when a clinic is not available.
Paulo Diaz, Family Tree’s CEO, updated the group on Marshall Street Landing, a permanent supportive housing program: the project has 85 units of capacity and 37 units were leased as of the prior week. He said leasing progress was slowed by a recent federal government shutdown that delayed benefits paperwork needed to finalize leases.
Family Tree representatives offered contact information for referrals and described additional programs including permanent supportive housing, legal advocacy for domestic violence survivors, SafeCare parenting supports and CFRT mental health services. They noted a youth group beginning Dec. 5 in partnership with the Englewood School District and encouraged coordination between municipalities to reduce service silos.
