United Way Funds Re-Entry Housing in Clark County

United Way of the Columbia-Willamette has awarded Second Step Housing (SSH) a Community Investment Grant for the Re-Entry Housing Program. In collaboration with Community Services Northwest (CSNW) and Department of Corrections, the program helps individuals achieve stable housing and living-wage employment as they reconnect with the community after incarceration.

SSH was awarded $148,000 each year for three years which will enable the program to house approximately 18 high risk, ex-offenders every 12 months. Last year, SSH and CSNW partnered on a re-entry pilot program funded through the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) which had a self-sufficiency success rate of over 90%.

“With an increasing number of offenders returning to the community from jail and prison each year, the need for housing is greater than ever. Housing is the most immediate challenge facing offenders because without it, there is no hope for reintegrating into society. Re-entry housing reduces recidivism, builds self-sufficiency, and ultimately breaks the cycle of homelessness.” – Debby Dover, Second Step Housing Executive Director

Funding for the project begins July 1, 2009.

About the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is working to advance the common good in the four-county Portland/Vancouver area by focusing on the basics we all need for success: education, income, and health. We all win when children succeed in school, families are financially stable and independent, and people have good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. By working together we can create opportunities for a better life and create a stronger community. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. Visit www.unitedway-pdx.org

About Second Step Housing
Since 1996, Second Step Housing (previously YW Housing) has provided affordable housing linked with community services to homeless women and families in Clark County, WA. Our housing programs provide safe housing paired with the structure and training needed to achieve economic and social self-sufficiency. Partnered with case managers, our residents work hard to reunite family, earn an education, and secure a living-wage job. Visit www.secondstephousing.org