Provides telephone and in-person screening and assessment for households who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

Telephone screenings are provided for emergency shelter (men's, women's, couples, and families) and severe weather shelter. Households are assessed for eligibility for housing programs (rapid re-housing, transitional, and permanent supportive), as well as diversion programs.

Housing Solutions offered at Council for the Homeless

Centralized access point for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, connecting them to needed programs and services, including shelter placement and housing/safe parking programs.

Programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services primarily for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing. Some programs require that the individual/family be transitioning from a short-term emergency shelter. The length of stay varies considerably by program. It is generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more. The supportive services may be provided directly by the organization managing the housing or may be coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies. Transitional housing/shelter is generally provided in apartment style facilities with a higher degree of privacy than short-term homeless shelters; may be provided at no cost to the resident; and may be configured for specialized groups within the homeless population such as people with substance use disorders, a mental illness, AIDS/HIV, who have experienced domestic violence and/or veterans. In some cases, a "transition in place" option allows families to continue living in the same complex (if not the same unit) where their transitional housing unit is located when they are ready to move to permanent housing. In other cases, the permanent housing option is either public housing or private rental housing supported by a tenant-based voucher subsidy. Included are post-domestic violence shelter housing programs that make affordable rental housing (or other accommodations) available to women, generally those who are coming directly out of a domestic violence shelter or other crisis shelter, often in apartment complexes owned by the shelter; and programs that provide transitional housing and support services for other targeted groups such as military and veteran families and others who need a temporary supportive living environment to maintain stability and begin to thrive.

Transitional Housing/Shelter

Programs that provide affordable, community-based housing for individuals and families who have experienced long-term or chronic homelessness and have been diagnosed as having a physical or developmental disability, a severe mental illness, substance use disorder problems or HIV/AIDS; or are members of another designated group within the homeless population. Structures may include apartments, single-family houses, duplexes, group homes or single-room occupancy housing. Permanent supportive housing programs generally provide residents with the rights of tenancy under state or local landlord/tenant laws and are linked to services designed to meet residents' needs. Supportive services vary depending on the resident population. Most programs offer some type of case management and housing support, but may also offer more intensive mental health, substance use disorder, vocational, employment or other services which help promote independent living. Supportive services may be offered on-site or off-site, or be provided by a mobile service team and may be available to people with current housing who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Homeless Permanent Supportive Housing

Programs, usually sponsored by community organizations or coalitions, that provide temporary shelter for homeless people, generally in dormitory-style facilities with very little privacy. Most community shelters offer support services which may include counseling, advocacy, referrals and help with future plans; and enforce house rules including curfews and mandatory household chores. Participation in religious activities is either optional or not a part of the program. There may be differences in intake, length of stay and amenities in family oriented facilities and those that target other specific populations.

Community Shelters

Programs that provide permanent affordable housing and supportive services for families whose current housing situation is unstable with the objective of preventing family homelessness, preserving families at risk for separation and reunifying families that have been separated. The program generally provides intensive case management involving regular home visits, development of a family care plan, and coordination of services identified by the plan which may include health care, substance abuse treatment, counseling and other mental health services, parenting skills training, family literacy services, tutoring, vocational training, money management and other life skills training, recreational activities, child care and transportation. Some programs focus specifically on families involved in the child welfare system or other family subgroups.

Family Permanent Supportive Housing

Organizations that are part of a community-wide, coordinated effort to identify, assess and find appropriate options for homeless individuals and families seeking housing or related services, and/or for those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The number of physical access points in the community for intake and assessment may vary (no wrong door), but all sites use the same assessment and targeting tools; make referrals using the same criteria and have access to the same set of resources including homelessness prevention (e.g., rent assistance), shelters, shelter diversion programs, service centers, transitional housing programs, permanent housing programs and outreach programs. Most coordinated entry programs also include real-time knowledge about program inventory and capacity, referral and waiting list management, and enrollment/admission decision criteria as process components.

Housing Related Coordinated Entry

Programs that coordinate requests for emergency shelter by screening homeless individuals who apply using criteria established by the shelters, maintaining lists of individuals who have been aided, and checking new applicants against the lists before referring them to a resource that can meet their needs. Emergency shelter clearinghouses help to avoid duplication of service and maximize the availability of shelter resources while relieving the agencies of the task of handling requests directly. Also included are programs that refer people needing shelter to an appropriate resource, but which are not the sole source for this information.

Emergency Shelter Clearinghouses

Offers three housing programs to assist individuals who are homeless or about to be homeless, as well as limited rental assistance for those who have an eviction notice. 

1.  Shelter: Offers a 3-30 day stay in a 5-room facility for homeless individuals and families. Each household has a private room but shares the kitchen, living area, and restrooms with the other residents. Case management services are available during shelter stay. 

2.  Supportive Housing: Two year housing and case management services for adults with disabilities. 

3.  Also offers limited rental assistance to households facing eviction. 

Goldendale Shelter and Transitions Program offers: 
-  Shelter: For homeless individuals or families who have an attachment to Goldendale, a 1-3 day motel voucher can be provided as temporary crisis intervention.  
-  Transitional Housing: Similar to the Guided Path Program, Goldendale's scattered site transitional housing program offers intense case management for families with minor children.
 -  Rental Assistance: Limited funds are available to help households that are in danger of being evicted for not paying their rent.   

Skamania County Homeless Housing Program offers:  
-  Shelter: the Skamania County Shelter offers a 3 to 30 day stay in a five bedroom facility. Case management services are available while at the Shelter. 
-  Transitional Housing: Similar to the programs at Guided Path and Goldendale, the Skamania County program provides 2 years of residential stability, individualized plans and goals, and case management. 
-  Rental Assistance: Limited funds are available to help households that are in danger of being evicted for not paying their rent.

Emergency Housing offered by Washington Gorge Action Programs at The Guided Path

Offers three housing programs to assist individuals who are homeless or about to be homeless, as well as limited rental assistance for those who have an eviction notice.

Programs that make rental payments for people who are at risk of eviction without assistance. Also included are rent supplement programs that provide assistance with ongoing monthly rental costs. Rent payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

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Housing Solutions offered at Council for the Homeless

Emergency Housing offered by Washington Gorge Action Programs at The Guided Path