When a sudden and unexpected disability left Katherine unable to work, she faced an uncertain future, not knowing how she would continue to afford housing.
Katherine worked as a nursing assistant for nearly a decade and found her niche as an activity specialist for people with dementia. “That was an incredible career. I loved being able to support people in that way,” Katherine says.
In 2020, Katherine’s work positioned her on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Katherine contracted the virus in February 2020, and by August, she had begun to develop symptoms of Long COVID. Her condition progressed, and Katherine’s doctors agreed that she would no longer be able to work.
Without an income, Katherine searched for ways to continue to afford housing. Katherine found temporary assistance from an eviction prevention program and spent all her savings while she looked for a more long-term housing solution. Even after qualifying for disability benefits from the state, she received only $450 a month — not enough to cover rent, let alone other essentials.
Then, in December 2023, Katherine connected with Catholic Community Services’ (CCS) Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) program. “I was trying everything,” Katherine says. “The timing worked out really well when I got to the top of the HEN waitlist. They were able to help me stay in my apartment.”
HEN Steps in when Disability Makes Work Impossible
HEN provides resources to people who are unable to work due to a permanent or temporary disability. Resources offered by HEN include rental and utility assistance, a monthly essential needs bag with $75 worth of hygiene and cleaning supplies, and free ORCA cards.
While HEN is designed to be a bridge to long-term stability, they do not have a deadline for program participants to move on. Finding long-term solutions — such as transitioning to Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and finding permanent affordable housing — can be a time consuming and complex process.
“The uniqueness of our program is that we work with clients where they are at to get them to stability; the timeline is different for everyone and we can accommodate that in this program,” says Naeem, HEN program director. “This is a program that is having a lot of positive impact.”
In addition to the services HEN provides, HEN connects people to resources offered by other programs, including other CCS programs, independent nonprofit organizations, and government programs. On June 6, they hosted their annual resource fair for HEN program participants with more than a dozen programs in attendance including affordable healthcare services, immigration services, and furniture repair services.
What stands out to Mona, HEN’s longest-serving case manager, is the program’s commitment to treating all people with respect. “Here, they walk their talk,” Mona says. “We will treat you first and foremost as a human being.”
Thriving with HEN Support
With rental assistance from HEN, Katherine has been able to remain in her Seattle apartment. She has found a strong community with her neighbors and now, she has been living in her apartment for more than 11 years. HEN currently provides rental assistance to more than 2,000 people in King County.
Katherine has also been able to access free public transportation through HEN. “I can go up to visit my grandparents in Edmonds,” Katherine says. I have a lot more freedom of travel, and I don’t have to worry about if I can afford it or not. That’s been amazing.”
A self-described nerd, Katherine is a fan of anything fantasy or science fiction, and she also enjoys textile crafts and embroidery. Katherine is currently working on getting federal SSDI benefits, and her case has been making its way through the system since 2021. While Katherine hopes she will be approved for SSDI soon, she knows that HEN will have her back for as long as she needs them.