Empowerhouse tells Chase County commissioners it will seek special-alcohol funds after outlining recovery-housing results
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Summary
An Empowerhouse representative briefed Chase County commissioners on operations and outcomes for its recovery houses, citing 2024 statistics and saying Chase County is a core service area; the group will return in May or June with county-level service figures and a request for special alcohol funding.
An Empowerhouse representative told the Chase County commissioners on Feb. 9 that the nonprofit’s recovery-housing program has expanded and that the organization will return in May or June to seek special-alcohol funds.
The presenter said Empowerhouse opened a women’s house in 2022 with a capacity of nine residents and a men’s house in Emporia in November 2023 with a capacity of 10. Citing 2024 data, the speaker said the program serves about 92 people annually (32 females, 38 men and 22 from clinics), that the average client age is 34 and that 72% have minor children (an average of 3.61 children when children are present). The presenter described program goals that include court compliance, employment assistance, addiction treatment referrals and life-skills training such as budgeting and tax-filing help.
"It's housing, but that's just the beginning," the Empowerhouse representative said, describing mandatory program components including attending recovery meetings, working toward employment and contributing $100 per week toward rent.
Commissioner Matt (identified in the transcript as "Matt") asked how many Chase County residents had been served; the presenter said county-specific numbers were down at the moment but promised to bring precise Chase County figures when the group returns to request funding. The presenter also said Chase County is one of Empowerhouse’s core service-area counties.
An attendee who said they had worked with Empowerhouse as a prosecutor and defense attorney praised the program’s community value and careful siting of residences. The presenter noted Empowerhouse’s broader supports, including life-skills clinics, partnerships with treatment providers in Emporia and work to help residents become employable and compliant with court requirements.
The presenter described operational needs at the men’s house (recent window replacements, fascia work and a 16-by-16 addition) and said demand is strong, with wait lists at times. The organization estimated it impacts roughly 250 children per year through services offered to residents.
The board did not vote on funding during the Feb. 9 meeting; the presenter said a formal request for special-alcohol funds would be presented later in the spring.
