Housing for People Living w/ Mental Illness

The 2018 results of the “Count Us In” Point-In-Time count conducted on January 26, 2018 were startling:

• The unsheltered population increased by 15%;
• 18% of all survey respondents indicated they were not currently accessing any services or assistance, a rate three times higher than the 2017 survey findings;
• When asked about accessing community services, 69% of survey respondents reported encountering issues when seeking help.

At Plymouth Healing Communities (PHC), we employ a “housing first” approach that is based on the realization that people who have been on the streets, and especially those who struggle with mental illness (one of the top 5 reasons people become homeless according to a recent study), have experienced trauma. They need more than just a roof over their heads (although that's critical): they also need time to heal, a safe space in which to do this, and most importantly, a community to support them through that process.

At the Plymouth House of Healing on Beacon Hill, persons who have recently been hospitalized in Harborview's psychiatric ward and who might otherwise be released to the streets, are given a room of their own, a companion who checks in with them regularly, peer support, and a community with whom to share meals and recreation.  In addition to the emergency respite provided at House of Healing, PHC also provides permanent supportive housing; most of our remaining properties are purposely located in neighborhoods and within a short radius of the House of Healing, resulting in a tight-knit community hub for our residents. Our team of staff and volunteers assist residents and help them connect with those much-needed services that help them to stay housed while also providing them with companionship.

Since opening, PHC has served 270 adults with chronic mental illness. In August 2019, we're preparing to open our next property: Eng House, a small-scale, neighborhood-centered property, will be located next door to House of Healing and will provide permanent supportive housing to an additional 7 people. Given the size and complexity of the homelessness problem in Seattle, we believe our model is replicable and it serves a very real need by providing neighborhood scale housing solutions. Now, more than ever, our city needs more than just a "one size fits all" approach to housing and social services.

You can be a part of the PHC Neighborhood. Please consider making a recurring donation to support companionship for people with mental illness.

At the beginning of this year YOU generously gave to our campaign to support the House of Healing.  Your contributions continue to ensure that people exiting the hospital after an emergency psychiatric stay have a warm, welcoming and safe place to go and heal! Thank you!  We wanted to share a few stories of hope about what YOU are a part of!  

In October we'll be kicking off another campaign to ensure our Companionship Program continues to grow and support people living with mental illness.  We hope you'll join us again!

Stories of Hope: Our House Manager shares two stories from the House of Healing.

Formerly, Michelle [name changed for confidentiality] had been enrolled in a graduate program and working toward a doctoral degree. While in the program, she experienced an incident of sexual abuse; when she sought administrative support, she found inaction which led to further harassment and isolation. Her symptoms of general anxiety developed into a severe episode of mania, during which she boarded a bus across country to visit her brother in Seattle. By the time she arrived, she was dehydrated and needed medical attention. When she was discharged, she attempted to overdose on a medication and was admitted to psychiatric inpatient care. After 2 months in the hospital, Michelle came to HoH. She was very quiet and spent most of her time alone. Gradually, she began watching movies with other housemates and participating in conversations, even if just listening. When a new Companion, Theresa, came to HoH, the two of them began taking shopping trips to the International District and watching TV shows together. Michelle also began to offer help in preparing dinner and shared her passion for Korean cuisine as well as her family’s recipes. She connected with a former resident, who shared his own experiences with recovery at HoH and afterwards. After 6 months at HoH, Michelle, was ready to get back to her life and set some ambitious goals, including returning to graduate studies, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and possibly teaching English in Korea. She chose to focus on the first and was accepted into a graduate program that starts in September. However, she has been able to take several backpacking trips this year and still hopes to work toward the PCT. And, even after moving into Hofmann House, she has continued to meet up with Theresa for trips to get bubble tea and to talk about her passions.

Sam [name changed for confidentiality] grew up in Idaho with parents that were often intoxicated and abusive. He dropped out of high school and tried to follow his older brother but wound up in jail for stealing cars, taking the rap for his brother. After being released, he traveled around the Northwest, from Montana to Washington, finding odd jobs. He also took to drinking hard and had several major accidents due to intoxication that left his body tense with chronic pain. Having more difficulty finding work for himself and with little support to stay sober, Sam ended up living outside in Seattle. Through frequent emergency room visits, however, he began working with Harborview Mental Health Services and with the assistance of a case manager, got into housing. But after years of hard living in Seattle and few friends, Sam wanted to move back to Montana and a simpler life. He also hoped to be awarded Social Security since he experienced severe bouts of pain that led to cluster headaches and migraines, which in turn made him increasingly irritable and withdrawn. He decided to move to Montana early, thinking his application to SSI would be successful, but after arriving found out it had been rejected. He slipped back into drinking and living outside, eventually returning to Seattle. Reconnecting with his case manager at Harborview, he began working on sobriety again and was referred to HoH. At HoH, he had few words but often made clever remarks and jokes, flashing a big grin, making him a fond housemate. Over the months, he kept a steady routine of walking around the city to places he liked to visit, keeping appointments at Harborview, and donating plasma for money. He identified that staying busy was the best way for him to stay sober, and that walking kept his mind off his pain and fatigue. He became close to other residents and struggled when transitions occurred, becoming upset and withdrawn, several times threatening to leave. On one occasion, he actually slept outside for a night but returned in the morning to the relief of his housemates. With these episodes, he gradually became more communicative about feeling upset, opening up to Companions individually. He also began meeting with a Respite Volunteer, Whitney, for additional support. When news came of an open unit for him in Spokane, Sam was eager to accept, but also began to withdraw in the weeks leading to his departure, staying away from HoH most of the day and missing dinners. However, he agreed to be given an appreciation dinner on his last night, during which he listened to all his housemates share their love for him. The next morning, a group of Companions and Whitney accompanied him to the bus station, sending Sam off with a care package for the bus trip and his new apartment. A week later, Whitney received an email with news from Sam about how big his place is and getting to know Spokane, signed with a sun-glassed smiley face. Sam has now been sober for a year and is awaiting word on a new Social Security application.

Links:

• Agency Website