Governor Jay Inslee with CCS/CHS-NW staff, Fr. Paul Magnono (far right, rear), residents and other friends of Martha’s Place.
CCS Northwest Staff and Residents host the Governor and Local Leaders
Martha’s Place, CCS’s newest Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) site, opened this spring, culminating an intensive seven-year process led by an experienced group of Skagit County political leaders determined to address increasing homelessness in the Valley. Inspired by the success of CCS/CHS Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites in Whatcom and Snohomish Counties, they trusted the staff of CCS/CHS to carry out this ambitious first-time venture in Skagit County.
Governor Jay Inslee visited with residents and staff during a swing through the Valley in June. He toured the facility, chatted with residents, and congratulated CCS-NW and Skagit County leadership on the success of this initiative. An informal chat in the new site’s community room led to a wide-ranging discussion of the need for a large-scale response to the housing crisis in western Washington. According to the Governor, “We’ve got to build thousands of housing units–tiny homes, congregate housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and long-term ownership with equity—across the state.”
A Community Effort
Mayor Boudreau describes the importance of permanent supportive housing in Skagit Valley to the Governor and an audience of staff, residents and other local political leaders. NW Director Will Rice listens, at right.
Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau and County Commissioner Ron Wesen conveyed the years of extraordinary effort needed to meet the increasing number of individuals and couples experiencing chronic homelessness in the Valley. CCS-NW Director Will Rice pointed out that few municipalities have the resources to take on this housing challenge, that a unique culture of trust and past collaboration among Valley leadership made the project successful. Mayor Boudreau expressed her gratitude to the CHS/CCS team members who worked so hard to bring the project to reality: “We know that CCS/CHS bring dignity, professionalism, and care to everything you do. We are so happy for the people here!”
CCS staff collaborated with regional parishes and other volunteer groups to furnish attractive, light-filled studio and one-bedroom units with everything residents need to move to develop stability and functional, independent living, supported by case workers and other staff. CCS/CHS is on track to open 100 additional supportive housing units in King County later this year. For more details about Martha’s Place and how CHS is helping western Washington meet the lack of affordable permanent housing, visit our website: Housing – Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services of Western Washington (ccsww.org).