FAMILY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Family Program provides a safe living environment for families coming from emergency shelters and other social service agencies. Vision House provides a stable, supportive environment along with the time needed for residents to transition to permanent housing. The current program is designed as an individual housing situation in which families occupy and are responsible for their own unit and household duties yet receive encouragement and support from other residents as well as from VH staff through case management, bi-monthly house meetings and an optional Bible study.

VH’s goal is to coordinate the successful reintegration of these families back into the community through a range of services tailored to the individual’s and families’ needs, which may include the following: education, life skills, money management skills, parenting skills, counseling, discipleship, employment, permanent housing referrals and the building of self esteem. Residents are required to meet weekly with case managers to develop these skills and to remain accountable in reaching set goals. The current complex is located in the Renton Highlands area. Referrals are screened for need based on the following:

• Financial barriers
• Family size and age of children
• Lack of housing options
• Lack of a support system
  

Once referrals are accepted, families can live in a VH unit for up to 18 months, with exceptional cases staying up to two years subject to approval.

RENT STRUCTURE:

Resident or resident family agrees to pay VH thirty percent (30%) of their net adjusted monthly income. Each resident or resident family also pays a share of the phone bill cost of the program. Residents are required to turn in all pay stubs or other financial information to determine their monthly rent amount.

EXPECTATIONS OF RESIDENTS:

1. The expectation of house members is to become self-sufficient and able to move into permanent housing within 18 months.

2. The use of alcohol or drugs by house members will not be tolerated.

3. Violence or threats of violence to other house members, agency personnel, volunteers or the property itself is a very serious offense and may result in the immediate removal of a the resident from the program. Residents will be held responsible to pay for any damage that they cause, whether intentional or accidental.

4. Residents must agree to abide by all rules and regulations, including the participation in weekly case management, house meeting and timely payment of rent.

5. If a female head of household, no male may be on the premises except in the parking lot to facilitate a pickup of a resident. The only exception is that male children residents living at VH may have male guests of like age during visiting hours.

6. If a male head of household, no female may be on the premises except in the parking lot to facilitate a pickup of a resident. The only exception is that female children residents living at VH may have female guests of like age during visiting hours.

7. If a female head of household, female guests are welcome at VH, but must remain in the common areas of the home. Overnight guests are not permitted. Adult guests must leave by 9:00 pm on school nights and by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Guests are expected to observe all program rules during their visit at Vision House.

8. If a male head of household, male guests are welcome at VH, but must remain in the common areas of the home. Overnight guests are not permitted. Adult guests must leave by 9:00 pm on school nights and by midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Guests are expected to observe all program rules during their visit at Vision House.

9. Vision House staff will handle all disciplinary actions. Failure to comply with expectations will result in corrective action and may lead to termination from the program. It is understood that in extreme circumstances, all the corrective action steps may happen at once at the discretion of VH.

ADMISSION CRITERIA:

VH exists primarily to provide a safe and alcohol/drug-free living environment for low-income and homeless families. To safeguard that environment for residents, all applicants must meet the following screening criteria:

1. Applicants must be homeless with primary custody of their children. Children must be under the age of seventeen at time of entry.

2. Applicants must have been alcohol/drug free for 28 days prior to admission. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis at the discretion of VH. Applicants will be asked to give a breath or urine sample at the time of the admission interview.

3. Applicants must have no psychological or mental health problems requiring management through the use of sedative-hypnotic drugs. Other prescribed psychotropic drugs may be permitted but must be registered with the Case Manager.

4. Applicants with a history of addiction must have been in a treatment program within the last 12 months, and must agree to remain active in recovery through treatment, 12-step program, counseling or show other evidence of ongoing sobriety while at VH.

5. Applicants must not have felony convictions involving sex crimes or crimes of violence. Criminal history is one element used in evaluating suitability for residence at VH.

6. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

7. Applicants must interview with the Case Manager

8. VH housing is open to applicants who are victims of domestic violence. However, while every effort is made to insure confidentiality for all residents, VH cannot guarantee to provide the high level of security normally associated with DV shelters and other “safe houses”. To insure the safety of all, applicants fleeing such situations are strongly encouraged to take all reasonable measures to safeguard their privacy before coming to VH. An applicant who is a victim of domestic violence may be denied admission if there is reason to believe that an abuser is actively in pursuit.