Downtown Olympia Winter Warming Center Permit Sought

Above: As snow fell on South Sound late Thursday afternoon, a daytime winter warming center can’t open soon enough for some of Olympia's most vulnerable residents. Interfaith Works is seeking a temporary use permit to use the historic Hyak Lumber Building, seen above, as a warming center with community social service resources, as soon as possible through March 2017.

By Janine Gates

http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

An unanticipated delay due to funding setbacks in the opening of the Providence Community Care Center has caused the need for a full time winter warming center.

The Center was scheduled to open in early Fall at the corner of State Street and Franklin Street.

To fill the gap, Interfaith Works, a community non-profit, has requested a temporary use permit from the City of Olympia for the use of a building, the former location of Alpine Experience, as a daytime winter warming center. 

The historic Hyak Lumber Building is owned by Joe Hyer and his family, and is located at 408 Olympia Avenue NE, near the LOTT Clean Water Alliance and the Hands On Children's Museum. 

The warming center would provide relief for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness, physical or mental health challenges and substance use related challenges.

An informal meeting about the proposal was hosted by city staff at Olympia City Hall on Thursday evening. A handful of community members, some representing downtown businesses or organizations, were in attendance to hear more and ask questions. 

Interfaith Works executive director Danny Kadden and emergency overnight shelter manager Meg Martin answered those concerns and more. The informal setting allowed for a deeper conversation about local homelessness issues and current community efforts.

City of Olympia community planning and development director Keith Stahley said he expects to issue the permit with reasonable conditions next week. 

Stahley complimented Interfaith Works staff on the level of detail in their operations and staff training manuals and said he has heard some community concerns about issues such as people smoking or congregating around the outside of the building.

The building lease would be paid for through Thurston County, and City of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater housing funds. Martin said that the Hyer family is leasing the building for the cost of utilities.

Since early November, Interfaith Works has operated a warming center five days a week using two rotating downtown locations, The United Churches of Olympia, and First Christian Church. 

Due to scheduling issues, the warming center is closed on two days, Tuesdays and Sundays. 

At the new location, the group plans a full time operation as soon as possible through March 31, 2017. The hours of operation would be 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. daily and replace the two church locations. Staff would also be on site just prior and just after open hours. 

As it does now, Interfaith Works would provide the necessary supplies, supervision and support services to conduct the operations of the warming center. At least two Interfaith Works emergency shelter staff would be on site daily, plus volunteer support. 

Community support services will be available on site and include the SeaMar Community Health Care Management Team, the PATH program through Capital Recovery Center, Behavioral Health Resources, Providence Health Services, Olympia Free Clinic providing acute medical care and first aid relief and SideWalk, providing access to rapid rehousing, coordinated entry and shelter diversion programs.

Martin said that the current warming centers see nearly 100 guests per day, but they are not all there at the same time. 

“Homeless people are busy. They have errands to run, with many health, medical, and food services located outside of the downtown core,” said Martin.

She described the space as a calm environment. Some stop by to get warmed up, sleep, visit friends, or dry their belongings. In the new location, when they are not meeting with social service providers, they will do the same, as well as watch movies or play games. They are also actively involved in the upkeep of the surrounding area. 

“They want to be good neighbors. They sweep and pick up trash. Their house is the sidewalk and they are interested in keeping it clean,” said Martin.

Martin said that at the end of the last year's warming center season, about 130 guests per day signed in. 

Olympia Police Department Lieutenant Sam Costello manages the downtown foot patrol and downtown safety programs. He was positive about Interfaith Works' management of the current warming centers and the emergency overnight shelter. 

“The interactions officers will have with street individuals will be more friendly if they have a place to tell them to go,” said Costello.  

Shelter staff managed last winter's warming center program, and trained in de-escalation and emergency intervention skills. Staff will manage an outdoor smoking space to minimize impact on immediate neighbors, and all guests will be expected to sign good neighbor guest agreement.

Above: Interfaith Works seeks to use a portion of the Hyak Lumber Building, about 7,000 square feet, in downtown Olympia to serve the community. The space was most recently leased by the Thurston County Democrats.

Interviewed today at the building, Joe Hyer said he is excited about the opportunity to lease a portion of the building to Interfaith Works. Hyer says the Thurston County Democrats leased a portion of the building and left November 15.

“I like Interfaith Works. They know what they’re doing. I like their attitude,” he said.

Hyer said the building, recently used as a former commercial space, is all up to code with fire sprinklers, modern wiring, and plenty of outlets. Hyer said he is leaving the Wi-Fi set up so guests and staff can use their phones in and around the building.

Hyer is also excited that the Thurston County Democrats left numerous room dividers, desks, and office equipment in the building, and are donating the supplies for the warming center's use. 

The building has two restrooms. Interfaith Works will also provide two outdoor port-a-potties to accommodate demand, which will be locked when the warming center is not open.

At the meeting, Connie Phegley, owner of Old School Pizza, said that she is not happy that the public bathrooms at East Bay Plaza are closed, and yet Interfaith Works has to pay for port-a-potties at the nearby warming center. 

“Not only that, the port-a-potties are being put up for a certain population. I'm not happy about that and I haven't been for quite some time,” she said. The bathrooms, located near the Hands On Children's Museum and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance, are closed due to ongoing vandalism and drug use.

Hands On Children's Museum executive director Patty Belmonte was in attendance, and said that despite best efforts, there will be some parents who will very concerned and many others who will not be concerned. 

“We will work to educate our families and ensure their safety. The reality is, we will hear from many families. Undoubtedly, some families will be unhappy. We will work with Interfaith Works to make it as smooth a transition as possible,” she said. 

Belmonte said she is developing a 'frequently asked questions' page to the children's museum website to help educate children's museum members about the warming center.

Interfaith Works has communicated diligently with nearby businesses, including Crawford Auctions, ACME Fuel, the Hands On Children’s Museum, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance, and Martin agreed that open communication with families is key.

“We are also serving families. Families come to the warming centers everyday. There's not enough beds at Pear Blossom Place or Rosie's Place at Community Youth Services. We're a mixed population. Some stay up all night and just need a place to sleep or if they are sick....”

Stahley brought up the question of possible sex offenders at the center. Martin explained that Level 2 or 3 sex offenders are not allowed.

“All I can comment on is our experience. We have had zero incidents and zero threats related to sexual offenses. We've served 700 unique individuals in two years and all are screened. Many we will serve in the new location have already been screened. As a behavioral based shelter, we know that when people do not have access to services, they are more likely to reoffend. Whatever criminal behavior they may have, when basic needs are met, our entire community is safer,” said Martin.

“Our day to day experience builds a tremendous amount of skills and that's reflected in our relationships,” said Kadden. 

“A lot of thought goes into contingency planning. Challenging episodes happen rarely but when they do, we're prepared....This will be a dress rehearsal for when the Providence Community Care Center opens. Connecting people with services will help us make that a success and professionalize our homeless services....We're trying to bring the community together in the long term. We're going to do everything we can to be mindful in response to calls and interactions,” added Kadden.

Eastside neighborhood parent Whitney Bowerman is the parent of two small children, and said she is a member of the children's museum. 

Bowerman said she first met Martin when she opposed an Eastside neighborhood location once considered for a warming center. She has come a long way in her personal education about homelessness issues and credited that knowledge to Martin's work and patience. 

“Knowledge is power, and there are preconceived notions. When you clear that up, it's magic,” she said. 

Now, she and her children deliver meals to the shelters, and have gotten to know the guests and the names of their dogs. 

“It's been a good experience for my children, to talk about compassion, to help them see the big picture. I started way far from where I am now. I was afraid of these people (the homeless), but I'm impressed with the program. They do a great job,” she said. 

Her friend Joellen Wilhelm agreed. She and her young family are also Eastside residents and members of the children's museum and the YMCA.

“A warming center is a basic human right. There's space for all of us,” she said. 

Current warming shelter information:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays at United Churches, Social Hall, lower level at 110 11th Ave. SE; entrance is in the rear parking lot on Washington St. between Union and 11th Ave. Open for guests from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. 

Thursdays and Saturdays at First Christian Church, Koinonia Hall (upstairs), 701 Franklin St. SE; open for guests from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 

Donation Requests: Coffee, sugar, creamer, herbal tea, socks, gloves, hats and hand warmers for use after guests leave shelter. Round tables are also being sought for use in the new location.

For more information about Interfaith Works and its programs and projects, go to interfaith-works.org. 

For more information about the Emergency Overnight Shelter and how to donate supplies, go to www.iwshelter.org.

For more information about the lack of 24 hour public restrooms, including the ones at East Bay Plaza, the LOTT Clean Water Alliance, Interfaith Works, homeslessness issues, the emergency overnight shelter, and Meg Martin, go to Little Hollywood, http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com, and type key words in the search button.

Above: The Hyak Lumber Building on Olympia Avenue was also home to the Olympia Shingle Company and may have been built as early as 1946.

Interfaith Emergency Shelter Set To Open November 1

Above: Meg Martin works in the new office of the Interfaith Emergency Overnight Shelter this past weekend. New beds are stacked in the foreground.

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

The Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is set to open November 1 at First Christian Church in downtown Olympia with space and beds for 30 men and women.

City of Olympia Hearing Examiner Mark Scheibmeir presided at a public hearing held Monday night to decide on a conditional use permit proposal to use the church’s basement to expand the shelter capacity from 30 beds to 42 beds.

The basement had previously been used by the Family Support Center, which recently moved to the Smith Building, located on Olympia’s eastside. The current permit expires in January of 2015. The church had also been the location for Camp Quixote, the temporary homeless camp, that has since moved to Quixote Village.

City planner Steve Friddle represented the city and provided the staff report recommending that the shelter be permitted for 42 beds. Hearing Examiner Scheibmeir stated at the outset that he did a site visit, walked through the property and neighborhood, and disagreed with the city's interpretation of the code.

Friddle admitted that the Olympia municipal code regarding group homes, residential and commercial standards and uses was confusing, and that the city recommended the 42 bed shelter based on state fire and building codes.

Scheibmeir said that it's not his job to defend the city's land use policies, but he calculated the capacity of the space to allow 37 beds, and he did not make that calculation lightly, knowing its “draconian ramifications.”

The hearing examiner took Danny Kadden, executive director of Interfaith Works, and Meg Martin, Interfaith Shelter Program Manager, to task for not documenting the specifics of how the facility would be used. Both provided new information and details about the facility that had not previously been provided to the hearing examiner.

“I don't care about rules about pets, or where people store their belongings...but the hours of operation and the way a facility is used, and a number of other aspects of the plan are essential...Those are critical for me to know....What I would like is for the applicant to examine their plan relevant to the basic issues...and develop a clear understanding...of what will be expected.”

Several people offered testimony in support and against the permit.

Brenda Hatcher of First Christian Church spoke in support of the group's permit, saying it was a unanimous decision by the congregation to host the shelter, saying it feels strongly that human beings deserve a place to be. Speaking in support of Interfaith Works, she said the organization has a good record of doing what they promise.

“They've been partners with us for years and have an ongoing reputation for being compassionate...and provide for people,” she said.

Don Sloma, Thurston County's director of public health services, also spoke in support of the shelter's application, as did Theresa Slusher, the county's homeless services coordinator. 

In 2013, the shelter received a conditional award of $400,000 by a multi-jurisdictional housing consortium based on Interfaith Works’ ability to work with the City of Olympia and local advocates to identify an acceptable site for the project and obtain required permits.

Theresa Sparber, a 63 year old who is homeless, also spoke in support of the shelter. She said she has a history of strokes, COPD, and heart attacks, and that maneuvering at night on slick streets has caused her to have multiple falls.

“I can't wait for the shelter to open, to rejuvenate my body, to get rest. Believe me, by 5 o'clock, we're ready to hit the sack. A friend of mine is 73 and she's in different bushes. There's so many of us displaced women who are lost out there and it's a place we never thought we'd be. (The shelter) is a great effort on everyone's part - it gives us hope,” said Sparber. 

Jim Haley, President and CEO of Thurston First Bank spoke against the permit. He said the bank relocated to 600 Franklin Street, one block away from the proposed shelter as part of an effort to revitalize downtown. Citing multiple concerns, Haley said he didn't see anything about the shelter that benefits the neighborhood. He said he wasn't against the homeless, but “it's business that creates tax revenue so we can better help the homeless.”

 

The hearing lasted about two hours, and Scheibmeir held the record open until the end of the week for additional information to be submitted by the applicants and others who wish to submit materials. He said he hoped to make a decision within 10 days from the following Monday.

“I envision approving this (permit) but I'm not sure in what fashion....Two groups deserve certainty: the population who would benefit from its use, and those affected, such as businesses and residents...neither trumps the other, both deserve to be recognized....” said Scheibmeir.

Shelter Gets Ready To Open

The task of locating a shelter formerly known as The People’s House has proved difficult in terms of finding a suitable location. 

Staff and volunteers were working hard this past weekend to get the space at First Christian Church ready.

Meg Martin, Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter program director, took time to explain the goals for the space.

“Changing the emphasis to housing a pre-screened clientele will aim to the serve the most vulnerable adult homeless individuals over the age of 24 who are not generally violent offenders,” said Martin. 

Although a daytime warming and activity shelter is badly needed in the community, this shelter will not serve that purpose.

Using a lengthy questionnaire, street outreach workers assessed the needs and vulnerability of over 135 people in the last month. To fill the shelter beds, staff will attempt to locate 30 of those people who received the highest score in terms of vulnerability, and prioritize the beds for those who need it most.

“With the (previous) first-come, first-served model, we would have filled up immediately. Women and those with severe mental illness wouldn’t have gotten in,” she said about the new intake strategy.

Martin explained that each person will have a bed designated for them unless they miss three consecutive evenings without telling staff a reason for their absence. Lockers will be available for their belongings, and pets are allowed in kennels next to their person. Martin says this has been allowed in the past with no problems.

“We never want to have an empty bed...This effort has a much broader vision for placing people in permanent supportive housing. If we can expand, we’ll save a huge amount of community resources,” Martin said. Members of the homeless population tend to have more contact with police, and have a higher use of emergency room services than the general population.

Check in time at the shelter starts at 5:00 p.m. for women, and 7:00 p.m. for men. Everyone needs to be checked in by 9:00 p.m. and leave in the morning by 7 a.m. Guests will need to sign a personal conduct agreement and “good neighbor” policy form. If a guest’s behavior prevents their fulfilling the shelter agreements, they will be directed by staff to leave.

According to the proposal submitted to the city in September, the shelter will not house Level 2 and 3 sex offenders. While staff will not automatically conduct criminal background checks, staff reserve the right to do so at any time on any guest staying at the shelter. The shelter will serve all genders and couples. The space is already sub-divided in a way that allows separate sleeping areas and bathroom access.

Two professional, trained staff will be on site at all times. Shelter staff will be supported by three or four trained volunteers during a portion of the evening hours.

In addition, SideWalk, a homeless advocacy program, will work with guests on rapid-rehousing advocacy, and Behavioral Health Resources staff will be available for mental health support.

Full meals will not be provided, as those services are available at the Union Gospel Mission and Salvation Army.

“We’re open to more partnerships – some are in the works, and some we’re still figuring out,” said Martin, who also said that more volunteers are needed. 

It was that lack of clarity that concerned city Hearing Examiner Scheibmeir at Monday night's hearing.

Shelter Capacity Projections and Community Needs

Currently, the proposed 42 shelter beds at First Christian Church will be split - 22 for men and 20 for women. In addition, Sacred Heart Church in Lacey and St. Michael’s Church on Olympia’s eastside will operate a 12 bed shelter for men, as they have in previous years. This year, they will shelter the next 12 men on the Interfaith shelter’s screened list.

In her testimony, Theresa Slusher calculated a net gain of 10 beds for both men and women combined but it is also worth noting that the women are taking a net loss.

The shelter beds for women in the community are limited to Salvation Army and the Interfaith Shelter.

Bread and Roses, a non-profit inspired by the Catholic Worker movement and dedicated to serving the homeless, recently announced that they will no longer shelter homeless women.
  
For more information about the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter, contact Meg Martin at meg@iwshelter.org or www.iwshelter.org.

For more information about Interfaith Works, go to www.Interfaith-Works.org.

Above: Fresh beds at First Christian Church wait to be placed in rooms for men and women.

Low Barrier Homeless Shelter Forum Set

Above: A homeless person sleeping mid-day in plain sight on Columbia Street last month.

The People's House: Shelter Discussion on Wednesday

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

Coordinators for The People's House, a proposed low barrier homeless shelter project that will provide day and night services to chronically homeless adults, will host a public forum on Wednesday, February 19th, 7:00 pm in the sanctuary of Temple Beth Hatfiloh, 201 8th Ave SE, in downtown Olympia.

A presentation for a 40 bed low barrier shelter for the homeless, now proposed to be located in downtown Olympia, will include ample time for questions and answers.

The People’s House is a project of Interfaith Works, a 501c3 nonprofit. Coordinators assure that the facility will be a safe environment, and monitored by trained, paid, qualified staff.

In a February 3 email from Meg Martin, program director for The People’s House, Martin announced the first installment of a video series that will be used for community outreach, engagement and education as the group continues to secure a downtown site for the shelter.

“As we pursue finding a location that we can call home, we have started initial outreach to surrounding neighbors and businesses of 113 Thurston St. NE. This is a starting point for dialogue. We are prepared for on-going outreach and communication to ensure that we are a positive and necessary piece of the puzzle for improving downtown. Thank you all so much for your time and consideration.”

In the 15 minute video, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb11cjXTwoI The People’s House project coordinators Meg Martin, Cassie Burke, and Jefferson Doyle present their case, and the need for a community low barrier shelter.

“Homelessness is a complicated issue and The People’s House is one essential component of a solution,” says Burke in the video.

The shelter will service a diverse audience in need: adult men and women, couples, elderly, pet owners and service animals, overflow clients from the Safeplace domestic violence shelter, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with mental health challenges.

The facility will offer a community space, garden and kitchen, bathroom, shower and laundry facilities, internet, hygienic supplies, personal storage, a physical mailing address, and in partnership with Capital Recovery Center, offer a place to receive mental health support.

In the video, homeless advocate Selena Kilmoyer says the shelter is ideal for 2014.

“It’s a downtown hub of hope and solidarity which is so dramatically needed.”

Current statistics proving the street community’s needs are being supplied three ways: a direct survey conducted last year of the street community, a gaps analysis conducted by Thurston County homeless coordinator director Theresa Slusher, and the most recent “point-in-time” Homeless Census count.

In the video, Anna Schlect, housing manager for the City of Olympia, says 686 folks were counted in the most recent survey conducted in January.

“Over one-third were unsheltered – that means they had no emergency shelter…they could be living in cars, under bridges, abandoned buildings, out in the open…that’s a lot of people that have no roof over their head.”

Other homeless advocates featured in the video include Renata Rollins, a City of Olympia-related Downtown Ambassador, several downtown business owners, Sara Pete, senior librarian at Olympia Timberland Library, and Thurston County commissioner Karen Valenzuela.

A list of 52 downtown businesses is mentioned in the video as supporters of The People’s House.

Sara Reilly, owner of Darby’s Café, located on 5^th Avenue, says downtown businesses are used as a day center, as many buy a cup of coffee to “rent space” to sit and rest, and get warm. She says The People’s House will help take the pressure off downtown businesses.

There are many reasons why Olympia has become a hub for the homeless of Thurston County, including the fact that it is the state capitol, with Intercity Transit providing regional, multi-county access and the national Greyhound bus system, both of which brings homeless people downtown from other places.

In a telephone conversation this afternoon, Martin said nothing regarding the actual location of a low barrier shelter is set in stone, and said that The People’s House in downtown Olympia is a step in the right direction.

The People’s House welcomes private donations. Donations may be sent via mail to: Interfaith Works, PO Box 1221, Olympia, Washington 98507, noting that your donation is intended for The People's House. Donations may also be made online via PayPal at www.interfaith-works.org.

For more information or ways to get involved in The People’s House, visit their website at www.thepeopleshouseoly.org

The Thurston County 10 year Homeless Plan is at: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/sscp/PDF/2010-Ten-Year-Homeless-Plan-Executive-Summary-20101207.pdf