Serenity House has moved beyond crisis response (begun in 1982) that provides only temporary relief, and may actually prolong homelessness, to deliver long-term impact that empowers homeless and at-risk, low-income families and individuals of all ages throughout Clallam County to escape from a revolving door of crisis after crisis and move on to successful lives. We provide 92% of homelessness hou
sing services countywide, with an emphasis on shortening the time financially-distressed, low-income families and individuals spend in crisis, and reducing repeat crises. We enable clients to obtain stable housing, access benefits for which they qualify, and transition towards financial stability by improving their employability, earning capacity and money management habits. Responding to rising need caused by prolonged economic stress, Serenity House employs a broad spectrum of recognized best practices: coordinated intake and assessment at convenient drop-in resource centers, prevention-of-homelessness, housing first, low-income housing, permanent supportive housing, and programs targeted to populations such as Veterans, chronically homeless and disabled, and youth and young adults. Housing services are coupled with education and employment to help create a culture of self-reliance and personal responsibility. Serenity House led in developing and implementing the Clallam County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness (TYP), adopted by the county commissioners in 2005, leads the Shelter Providers Network of Clallam County, and collaborates across systems with public and private entities and advocates. From 2006 to 2014, the total number of homeless in Clallam has been reduced by 67%, as measured in the annual Point-in-Time census and by analyzing Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data, as an outcome of our focus on cost-effective solutions that end homelessness.
