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Empowerhouse reports rising need for recovery housing, cites Osage County referrals
Summary
Empowerhouse told the Osage County Commission its two recovery residences served about 76 women and 35 men so far and is seeing more referrals from Osage County jails. Staff requested continued county awareness and described program outcomes and demographics.
Melissa Lopez, director of Empowerhouse, presented the Osage County Commission with a program update on December 16, outlining recent client demographics, services and demand trends.
Lopez said Empowerhouse operates two recovery residences and clinic-style educational offerings. "Our focus is really being holistic," she told commissioners, adding the program helps residents with employment, identification, treatment and peer supports. She said Empowerhouse has served 76 women in housing, 35 men and 25 people who attend clinics, and that a typical annual service population is about 72 people from the houses plus others who use clinics.
Lopez said the average client age at the program has risen (from about 35 to an estimated 44 this year), that criminal histories remain common and that mental-health diagnoses are prevalent. "In the past, it's been about 75 percent have a mental health condition. I think that number is gonna go up right now. It's looking like it's gonna be 84 percent," she said, adding diagnoses range from PTSD and anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She said those conditions are not automatic disqualifiers for admission, provided they are "relatively speaking, under control." Lopez described supervision and court involvement: "71% of them are on probation, 59% on community corrections...out of my 18 in housing, I have 9 in drug court."
Lopez said about one-third of residents are currently homeless on entry and another one-third are precariously housed. She described a women's house that typically supports up to nine women and a men's house that has run near capacity since its launch about a year ago. The program has added drug testing (urinalysis, mouth swabs and breathalyzers), a monthly leadership role for residents and plans to hire a grant writer and additional administrative help for 2025.
Commissioners asked no formal questions that led to requested action; Lopez closed by saying she expects to return to the commission in late spring for another update.
