Continuum Care

The Shelter Providers Network has, as part of its directive, served as the body to develop a county-wide continuum of care plan that addresses the varying needs of homeless households.  Some households can prevent homelessness through one-time funds to pay for rent, until they get back on their feet.  Others are already homeless and need assistance.  Some of these households only need short-term housing, through an emergency shelter program, and are then able to move directly into permanent housing; other households need help with developing living skills (e.g. budgeting, problem-solving, job skills, parenting), which can be provided in a longer-term transitional housing setting.  A number of homeless households need help with accessing housing, due to a poor rental and credit history, a history of felonies, or because they have special need related to physical or mental health conditions.

The Continuum of Care plan has been discussed at monthly meetings of the network and at a yearly community forum.  Thanks to recent passage of E2SHB2163, the Clallam County Homelessness Task Force was established by the county commissioners to approve and oversee a ten-year plan to reduce homelessness by 50% by 2015.  The Shelter Provider Network and Clallam County Homelessness Task Force will work jointly to ensure a continuum of care to the homelessness in Clallam County.