PORT ANGELES — Kathy Wahto, executive director of Serenity House of Clallam County, will be one of five panelists at a briefing for members of Congress and their staff at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., next Friday.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is hosting the briefing to tell members of Congress about the impact that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act resources have had in communities.
Serenity House has used federal stimulus funds to move homeless families into permanent housing, the agency said in a prepared statement.
Extension of services
Rapid rehousing services will extend countywide in December, when stimulus funds start flowing to the West End Housing Resource Center in Forks, the group said.
The Forks center is staffed by the Housing Authority of the County of Clallam in partnership with Serenity House.
“Washington State’s enlightened efforts to end homelessness produced the outcomes we represent,” Wahto said.
She will encourage continued congressional support for housing strategies.
Resource Centers
Here is information about Housing Resource Centers in Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks.
• Port Angeles: 535 E. First St.; 360-504-1946. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
• Sequim: 203 N. Sequim Ave.; 360-477-4918 or 360-477-8854. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday. It is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Forks: 51 N. Forks Ave.; 360-374-2558. Walk-in hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Appointments can be made for other times.
Services provided by Serenity House include:
• Homelessness Prevention Assistance. This helps families and individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless because of a change in income. Applications are taken at Housing Resource Centers in Port Angeles, Sequim and Forks.
• Emergency Housing. This is available to both families and individuals. Family Shelter Services has eight apartment units for families at two locations, with a 45-day maximum stay. The Single Adult Shelter has 40 beds in a congregate facility with sections for both men and women, with a three-month maximum stay. The Street Outreach Shelter provides a place for adults to sleep.
• Transitional Housing. This provides long-term housing assistance to families and individuals.
Evergreen Family Village, Serenity Court and Cornerstone place families in apartments owned or leased by Serenity House. The maximum program length varies from three months to two years. Applications are taken at Housing Resource Centers.
• Permanent Supportive Housing. This serves adults who need some assistance to stay in their homes.
• Dream Center, 535 E. First St., Port Angeles. This is for homeless youth, or those at risk of being homeless. Homeless youth, 17 and younger, may qualify for short-term emergency overnight shelter at the Vine Street Cottage, while those ages 18-23 may stay at the Irvine House youth transitional housing facility while completing education or work training.
For more information, visit Serenity House at 2203 W. 18th St., in Port Angeles, phone 360-452-7224 or see www.serenityhouseclallam.org/index.html,
