A nonprofit focused on providing stable housing for those in recovery is poised to build its first residential community for up to six families while they work toward self-sufficiency.

Elijah Family Homes intends to establish the new development as part of its Transition to Success (TTS) program, which aids those facing socioeconomic disparities who may not qualify for public housing due to a criminal record or substance abuse. The TTS program offers stable, affordable housing and support services for up to three years. Clients are eligible for the program only after maintaining sobriety for one year.

“We are coming alongside individuals, helping remove barriers,” said Lisa Godwin, executive director of Elijah Family Homes. “We’re looking at things like expunging their criminal record, furthering their education, helping with parenting skills, basic life skills, budgeting and paying bills.” 

Clients pay a percentage of the income they bring in to live in one of the nonprofit’s homes to prepare them for future rent or mortgage expenses.

New homes for clients

The project, called Sunrise Community Homes, will be Elijah Family Homes’ first effort to build new homes for use by its clients. 

Until now, it exclusively bought duplexes for them to live in for up to three years while working through the program or assisted with subsidizing rent from private owners.

The project is expected to cost about $1.5 million for the land, homes and shared space. The first community is likely to open in Kennewick by next summer, though the charity hopes to build additional communities in Pasco, Richland, West Richland and Finley over the next five years.

Designed to be smaller and more manageable, the “cottage” homes will each have two bedrooms and one bathroom and will be constructed through a partnership with Lexar Homes, which modified the floor plans to be simpler than its typical projects.

“They’re not overwhelming for the clients while teaching them the art of how to be a homeowner, how to live in a community and how to be a neighbor,” Godwin said. “That’s important, so when they do graduate, get out into the community and maybe buy a house, they are prepared for what’s ahead.”

As part of the TTS program, clients are trained on how to maintain the home and do yard work, which is important for the exterior appearance and blending into the neighborhood. Godwin said the nonprofit hasn’t had any trouble with neighbors pushing back on those currently inhabiting Elijah’s homes or duplexes due to the strong level of personal responsibility required to participate in the program.

“I understand some individuals might have preconceived notions about our clients and what they may behave like,” Godwin said. “They have just gone through the hardest year of their life with recovery and they’re not going to destroy that work. They’re ready to move on. They’re ready to be part of the community as a whole.”

Godwin said she lived nearby one of the duplexes owned by Elijah Family Homes before becoming its executive director and had noticed how well it was taken care of. “It was one of my favorites on the street. The accountability enables us to not be an eyesore in a community,” she said.

Elijah’s programs

About two dozen people are part of the original TTS program, with a handful on a waiting list. It was the only program offered by Elijah Family Homes when it opened 20 years ago, but the nonprofit eventually added a second in 2017, the Parent-Child Assistance Program (PCAP), working with women who used substances during pregnancy and may still be struggling with substance use.

More than 50 women are currently in the PCAP program, with a handful who have crossed over into the TTS program after maintaining that one-year of sobriety, which Godwin described as “historical.” Each of the programs is likely to last up to three years.

“There are three different stages clients go through. Working through those stages is client-driven, so one client might finish in two years, another might take three, or a little more than three years,” she said.

People typically come into the programs via referrals, whether from family, friends or neighbors, but also from walk-ins. The staff of 13, including mostly case managers, recently relocated to South Auburn Street in Kennewick, across the street from the old Trios Hospital that’s currently being transformed into a facility to provide mental health services and treatment for substance abuse.

“It’ll be awesome to be able to walk clients across the street when they need their services versus having to take them to Spokane, Yakima or other areas of Washington. We’re going to have hopefully a higher success rate for our clients because they’re not having to wait,” Godwin said.

Elijah Family Homes has many program advocates, including Sunrise Rotary, for whom the first community is named. Members of the service organization have contributed more than $100,000 to the charity.

Stable housing

Many clients who would use the transitional housing would move in with their children for up to three years. Godwin estimates about 150 children have a parent enrolled in either the TTS or PCAP program. 

“As we all know, stable housing is important for kiddos when they’re in school,” Godwin said. “Having that place to come home to every day, do their homework and feel safe. We are not just benefiting our clients, we’re also setting up that next generation.”

An aftercare program is also in the works, potentially starting this year, offering support to those who graduated from the program in the past but may be facing current struggles. Staff also want to create more opportunities for alumni to get involved.

Elijah Family Homes is still fundraising for the Sunrise community and the future cottage communities. Sponsorships are available for those looking to help or volunteer. 

“A partnership isn’t just one sided, even when it’s a nonprofit; there are ways we can help businesses within the community to build awareness of what they’re doing and how they give back.”

Go to: elijahfamilyhomes.org.