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2. Project Description Summary: Provide a brief summary the project being proposed and <br />a general description of how it will address homelessness or affordable housing in <br />Kittitas County. Be sure and indicate whether the proposal is intended to provide direct <br />client services or construction, maintenance, or improvement of housing facilities. (250 <br />words max.) <br />Housing Authority of Kittitas County, HopeSource and Elmview propose to collaborate on a <br />combination of rental vouchers supported by wrap around case management and supportive <br />services. Housing Authority of Kittitas County, in conjunction with the Yakima Housing <br />Authority, will continue to provide vouchers to 25 households and will work with HopeSource <br />and Elmview for wrap around case management with the goal of graduating tenants from <br />subsidized voucher housing to permanent unsubsidized housing. Case management includes <br />connection to mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, and job training <br />resources. <br />Case management is based in the progressive engagement model of light, medium and heavy <br />service touch designed to deliver only what is needed in order to move a household forward, <br />recognizing that some circumstances require more support than others to break free of barriers. <br />HopeSource case managers connect households internally to energy assistance, youth <br />scholarships, transportation, and life skills education including budgeting, credit and debt, and <br />employment preparation. They connect households externally with resources such as mental <br />health, physical health, substance counseling, and job searching. <br />Linking housing vouchers with case management could potentially lead to the launch of an <br />innovative Pathways to Permanence project where Housing Authority, HopeSource and Habitat <br />for Humanity would partner to provide homeless households immediate shelter, then case <br />management in subsidized housing, ending with successful homeownership. <br />People succeed as they are supported and empowered to break the cycle of dependence on <br />services and provided the tools to move forward with their lives. Employment is a critical <br />element. Work enhances self-esteem, provides an opportunity to build skills and a supportive <br />social support network, and income which enables the individual and family to be able to build <br />assets which support them to move to invest in themselves and their families' future. The <br />collaboration of three local agencies outlined in this proposal provides the support and <br />framework to move families to self-sufficiency and the opportunity to positively engage in our <br />communities. <br />