Escaping from an abusive situation is just the first step for victims of domestic abuse, who have to rebuild their lives both emotionally and economically.
"Nowadays owning your own home is out of reach for a lot of working people in our community - we all need to be part of the solution. So we developed a mortgage loan program that accepts owner-builders' sweat equity instead of a cash down payment and gets them into their own homes.
- Barb Kaye, Vice President and Western Region Manager, Community Lending
"Self-Help owner-builders work side by side through all kinds of weather on each other's homes, building the kind of community and support most people don't have anymore. These families also develop the confidence and self-reliance that will help them and their children be successful throughout their lives."
- Jackie Gleason, State Director, USDA Rural Development
"Many of these families have to leave home with just the clothes on their back, with nothing," explains Kitsap County Commissioner Chris Endresen. "They've escaped from a dangerous household but they don't have a home anymore. They need help and a place to live while they rebuild their lives."
But thanks to Poulsbo North Kitsap Rotary, who raised funds and got the community and KCCHA involved, at least some of these families will have a safe affordable home and the support they need to heal and transition into healthy, independent lives.
By mid-2001, families fleeing domestic violence will be able to stay for up to two years in safe, affordable duplexes owned by KCCHA. During that time, they must work with a case manager from the YWCA's Y-Alive program to deal with the issues that domestic violence leaves behind. Meanwhile, Kitsap Community Resources manages the unit, and helps the families develop job skills and overcome other barriers so at the end of their stay, they can live independently in the community.
"It works, it truly does," says Corky Senecal, KRC Housing Programs Manager. "KCCHA does the bricks and boards, we do basic services and the Y works with the families on domestic violence issues. And the Rotary brought us all together."
In addition to partnering with KRC and the YWCA to create transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse, KCCHA has a long history of working with a variety of community organizations to provide other special needs housing. Kitsap Tenant Support Services and the Authority team up to provide housing for people with disabilities, and Kitsap Mental Health Services is a long-time partner in providing supported-living homes for people affected by mental illness. "Safe, affordable housing is the cornerstone of effective community mental health treatment," says Larry Keller, Executive Director of Kitsap Mental Health Services.
2000 Annual Report:
[ 1. Cover ] [ 2. Message ] [ 3. Mission & Board ] [ 4. Partnering with communities ] [ 5. Partnering (cont.) ] [ 6. Preserving affordable housing ] [ 7. Preserving (cont.) ] [ 8. Investing in dreams ] [ 9. Fostering self-reliance ] [ 10. Creating safe havens ] [ 11. Financial Summary ] [ 12. Properties ] [ Annual Reports Home ]
This is an Equal Opportunity Program.