PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY PROVIDERS

Many landlords in the Everett community have had less-than-positive experiences renting to people living with serious mental illness. Bridgeways has helped to change this by assisting landlords with quick responses to any and all concerns. It is critical for the people we serve and for landlords to rely and trust Bridgeways to work towards a solution for everyone.

Bridgeways is a provider of support services for our clients utilizing the Shelter Plus Care Program through the YWCA of King & Snohomish Counties. Shelter Plus Care is a HUD housing subsidy for people who are homeless and in need of support services to live in the community. This allows a person to live in the community in a safe, clean home as part of their recovery. Bridgeways provides day-to-day support, including medication monitoring, meeting each person's unique needs. Shelter Plus Care participation is an opportunity for Bridgeways to connect with other agencies providing similar services to people who are currently living with little to no income and facing tremendous challenges.

Bridgeways, as a member of the Housing Consortium of Everett & Snohomish County, helps to support their mission to provide strategic leadership in crafting policy and program solutions to affordable housing challenges throughout Snohomish County.

Bridgeways also participates in the Everett Police Department's Crime Free Rental Housing Program which is vital to maintaining a safe community for all citizens of Everett and Snohomish County. We also work closely with area landlords and help provide education about the unique needs of our members. Our close collaborative community relationships are further strengthened by locating housing, transitioning patients from WSH, transferring clients into our services, and stabilizing existing members in their homes.

Bridgeways began a series of 'Landlord Luncheons' (in June 2006) which reaches out to landlords, property managers, and neighbors of the community. These lunches assist in educating the community regarding mental illness and help the business world understand mental illness by erasing some of the misconceptions and stigma and to build proactive partnerships. For more information about housing issues, contact Piril Akman: (425) 355-8668. All of these efforts help our members succeed in their journey towards recovery!