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.