By Lisa Herrick
Imagine 172 people in our community moved off the streets, out of shelters and into permanent housing in less than six months. Consider one benefit dinner raising $50,000 to help people escape homelessness. Envision five staff and nearly sixty volunteers dedicated to the pursuit of ending homelessness in Thurston County. This is SideWalk, a local organization with a mission to eliminate homelessness in our community.
The largely volunteer operated program was started nearly three years ago by Phil Owen, SideWalk Director. In the first full year of operation, Owen claims the community experienced a 36% drop in chronic homelessness. That means those who were considered repeatedly homeless or over a long-term were brought off the streets and out of shelters into permanent housing. Since its inception, SideWalk has consistently transitioned single adults out of homeless situations and into housing.
A key factor to SideWalk’s success is the rapid rehousing approach, which focuses on immediate solutions to move clients into housing by providing a small amount of financial assistance followed up by more intensive case management. Owen comments, “People think that homelessness is too big of a problem and it is an insurmountable issue. Homelessness has not always been with us. There is no need for people to sleep outdoors. This is a solvable problem.”
There are a myriad of factors that may lead one to homelessness but typically what keeps someone homeless are basic economic factors such as the lack of affordable housing. Barriers to paying for a place to live can be overcome through the assistance of a rent subsidy. It is a shift of thinking to approach the issue of homelessness by looking at economic factors such accessible, affordable housing.
SideWalk addresses homelessness as a housing crisis backed up by evidence based practices, intensive community engagement and rigorous data-driven methods. Modeled after cutting-edge strategies in the corporate world, SideWalk implements real time data to be responsive to current conditions. SideWalk reports that the average cost to move a person off the streets into permanent housing is $1,200. Owen emphasizes that moving clients into private market housing is a great solution as it is faster and cheaper than continually using shelter beds and provides a permanent remedy.
Consider Dave, a recent SideWalk client who shares his story on a SideWalk video. Dave simply needed to get past the hurdles of large rental deposits and the challenge of being awarded disability pay. SideWalk’s rapid rehousing program provided Dave the needed rental subsidy and case management services, which enabled Dave to find housing and return to work. Now back in a more stable living and employment situation, Dave is positioned to buy his own home.
Dave fell into a homeless predicament after suffering cardiac arrest during work on a day labor job. “I am so thankful for SideWalk’s help. I know that I could not have done it without them. They not only assisted me in renting a room but so much good has happened in my life since SideWalk – my disability has been approved, my teeth have been fixed, my surgery was successful and now I am looking to buy my own home. I used to frown on them (homeless), until it happened to me. Now I want to help others out. I am able to do just little things now, like cooking a pot of chili or baking cookies. Once I get more established, I will start volunteering at SideWalk. In my heart, I know what they are going through.”
SideWalk relies upon intensive community engagement to achieve its mission. They have effectively brought together the committed service work within the faith community and the outreach efforts of the business community. Businesses such as Olympia Federal Savings have supported SideWalk since its very first event. The next growth phase for SideWalk focuses on engaging neighborhood associations through house parties and community events such as the SideWalk Benefit Party sponsored by The Washington Center for the Performing Arts and the Olympia Downtown Association on March 25. Tickets are free and available here.
House parties are a more intimate way to enjoy friends and learn more about SideWalk.
Owen reports that recent house parties have averaged $1,900 in donations. Just think if SideWalk could cover the costs of moving a few people off the streets through each of the house parties. Or imagine how many people could be assisted through the rapid rehousing program by funds raised at a community party held at the Washington Center on March 25. Owen comments, “We can’t end homelessness fast enough.”
Join your neighbors and SideWalk at The Washington Center or plan a house party. Click here to learn more about SideWalk.
