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Family Tree outlines services at House of Hope; Marshall Street Landing still leasing amid delays
Summary
Family Tree presented on House of Hope emergency family shelter and Family Tree’s broader programs, reporting strong housing exits and heavy demand; CEO Paulo Diaz said Marshall Street Landing has 85 units with 37 leased and that a recent government shutdown delayed some lease paperwork.
Family Tree told the Tri Cities Homelessness Policy Group on Tuesday that its House of Hope emergency family shelter in Englewood City serves families with at least one child under 18 and provides 24/7 staffing, weekly case management and on-site security.
"House of Hope is a 90‑day emergency shelter for families," Miriam Kyserauskas, program director, said. She described the facility as residential and "homey," with 14 individual rooms, communal living spaces and volunteer support for gardens and maintenance. Kyserauskas said eligibility requires a child under 18 and that intake operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis rather than a long waitlist.
Erin Cassidy, vice president of residential services at Family Tree, presented program statistics: 4,384 shelter nights were provided year to date since the fiscal year began July 1, with a projection of about 12,000 nights for the fiscal year. Cassidy said 68% of clients exited to safe and stable housing within the reported period and 21% exited to permanent housing, a rate she said is above the national average for emergency shelters.
"We are turning away people every day to shelter," Cassidy said, noting nearly 1,000 helpline calls in four months and that rental assistance remains the most requested resource.
On capacity for permanent supportive housing, Family Tree CEO Paulo Diaz said Marshall Street Landing has an 85‑unit capacity and 37 units leased as of the prior week. "We do have a list of individuals who are, getting placed there," Diaz said, adding that a recent government shutdown delayed benefits and paperwork needed to finalize leasing for some households.
Family Tree also described partnerships and services that support shelter residents, including monthly mobile medical visits through Stride and a youth group planned with the Englewood City School District beginning Dec. 5. Cassidy said Family Tree operates additional programs including legal advocacy for domestic-violence survivors, the SafeCare child-safety program and housing navigation for scattered-site permanent supportive housing.
The presentation closed with staff offering contact information for referrals and follow-up. The meeting record shows no formal votes related to Family Tree programs during this session; questions from the group focused on intake practices, waitlist management and how to connect clients to openings.
