Overcoming Homelessness with Compassion and Creativity

As I sit here in my cozy apartment, sipping on a warm cup of coffee, I can’t help but reflect on the not-so-distant past when I, too, was struggling to find a place to call home. My name is Tiffany Charneski, and I’m a 7 1/2-year Army veteran who had to face the unthinkable – becoming homeless with my two young children.

It all started in March 2016 when I couldn’t afford the sudden $500 rent increase on my apartment. I had to pack up what little we had and leave, not knowing where we would go next. For a couple of weeks, we stayed with a friend, but then we had to resort to living in my car. It was a terrifying and heartbreaking experience, and I didn’t want to accept the fact that I had “failed.”

Thankfully, I reached out to a veterans group on Facebook, and that’s when my luck started to change. A kind-hearted member drove from Bellingham to help us move into a motel for a week, and others in the group, as well as the motel owner, chipped in to cover the bill. This temporary solution gave me the chance to look for more permanent housing options, and eventually, I was able to find a transition home until an apartment opened up.

Innovative Approaches to Affordable Housing

The challenges I faced are not unique to my family. In fact, Washington state now has the fifth-highest homelessness rate in the country, and the tight rental market is especially problematic in places like Clallam County, where the vacancy rate was just 1.8% in 2016. But communities across the state are stepping up with innovative solutions to address this crisis.

One such approach that has gained traction in Clallam and other areas is the use of tiny houses. The Low Income Housing Institute, a major nonprofit housing developer, has been experimenting with these tiny, mobile homes as a crisis response. Each tiny house is just 8 feet by 12 feet, but they’re insulated, heated, and come equipped with lights and electrical outlets. The best part? They only cost about $2,200 in materials to build.

These tiny house villages, which are often set up on property donated by the city, the Port of Seattle, or even private landowners, provide a safe, warm, and secure environment for individuals and families who would otherwise be living on the streets. And it’s not just a temporary fix – the Low Income Housing Institute partners with SHARE and Nickelsville to manage the day-to-day operations and help residents find permanent housing and employment.

Collaboration and Community Involvement

But tiny houses are just one piece of the puzzle. Affordable housing solutions require a multi-faceted approach that involves cooperation between state agencies, local governments, and community organizations. In Clallam, this collaborative spirit is evident in the way different groups have come together to address the housing crisis.

For example, the Housing Authority of Clallam County (HACC) has been working closely with the City of Port Angeles and other local partners to develop innovative affordable housing projects. One such initiative is the “Tiny House Village” in Port Angeles, which provides a temporary living solution for individuals and families in need. The village is managed by a local non-profit organization, and residents are connected with social services and job training programs to help them get back on their feet.

But the community involvement doesn’t stop there. Church groups in the area have also stepped up, building tiny houses over the course of a single weekend. And private property owners have donated land to help create these much-needed housing solutions. It’s this kind of grassroots, collaborative effort that makes the affordable housing initiatives in Clallam so inspiring and worthy of emulation by other communities across the state.

The Road Ahead: Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Solutions

Of course, the affordable housing crisis in Clallam, and throughout Washington, is far from solved. The state is currently short at least 118,377 housing units, and the population continues to grow at a faster rate than new construction can keep up with.

But the innovative approaches being tested in Clallam offer hope and inspiration. By thinking outside the box, leveraging community resources, and fostering collaboration, these local leaders are proving that affordable housing solutions are within reach. And with the continued support and investment from state and local governments, as well as the unwavering dedication of community members, I’m confident that the dream of affordable, secure housing can become a reality for more families like mine.

As I reflect on my own journey, I’m reminded of the resilience and compassion that can be found in even the darkest of times. The Housing Authority of Clallam County and its partners are shining examples of what’s possible when we come together to tackle complex social issues. Their work not only changed the trajectory of my family’s life but has the potential to inspire lasting change in communities across our state.