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Council for the Homeless. Working to end homelessness in Clark County Washington

Are You Homeless? Emergency Shelter Community Housing Resource Guide Community Voice Mail
Welcome to Council for the Homeless
About Homelessness
Who We Are
What We Do
Homeless Management Information System
Coalition of Service Providers to the Homeless
What You Can Do
Links
Newsletter
Contact Us

 

Who We Are

 


About the Council

The Council for the Homeless is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in Washington State and located in Clark County, in the city of Vancouver. The Council is led by the Board of Directors. Board members represent the diversity of our community and volunteer their time, experience and leadership, supporting the Mission and Values of the Council.

Our Mission
The Council for the Homeless provides leadership, advocacy and coordination to create long-term solutions to homelessness, resulting in housing stability and a more livable community.

Our Values

Social Justice - We are committed to creating a more just world where housing is available to all, regardless of income. We believe in the worth of every individual. Everyone needs a place to call home. We believe in the capacity of the people of Clark County to enact solutions to end homelessness.

Systemic change leading to lasting solutions - We take a “big picture” view as advocates for public policies that will help increase housing options and end homelessness. We are committed to raising public awareness, mobilizing the community, and creating comprehensive solutions to homelessness.

Respect for all people - We respect people who are homeless and actively seek to counter pervasive stereotypes. We value the diversity and mutuality of our staff, board and volunteers in working to end homelessness.

Community-building and collaboration - We take care to build community, internally and externally, fostering quality relationships with many skilled and diverse partners. We believe strong and respectful partnerships lead to positive change. We are committed to a communitywide approach, working with many collaborators. We all have a role to play in ending homelessness.

Volunteerism - We believe volunteerism strengthens the fabric of our community and is an essential aspect of all efforts to end homelessness. As volunteers, we give and we receive. We are changed through our direct experiences as we come to know the human face of homelessness.

Council for the Homeless History

The product of collaboration between the City of Vancouver, Clark County and the Vancouver Housing Authority, the Council started its work in 1989 by opening a temporary winter shelter for families and single women. The following year, the SafeChoice domestic violence shelter opened and the On Our Way transitional housing program was launched. Through the 1990s, the Council participated with many agencies and organizations to expand transitional housing and the shelter services network. Funding for these projects was provided through annual Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care (COC) grants submitted by the Council on behalf of our community partners, as well as grants from local government and other funding.

Since 2000, the Council has authored the annual COC grant to provide funds for outreach, shelter, transitional housing, and other programs providing services to people who are homeless or “at-risk”. The Council has also partnered with Share, St. Andrew and St. Paul Lutheran churches in the Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) program since 2002, providing emergency shelter for families and individuals from November 1 through March 30, the coldest months of the year when outside temperatures put lives at risk.

Other highlights of the Council’s activities in recent years include: conducting the annual “Point In Time” homeless census in Clark County; becoming an affiliate agency of Community Voice Mail; completion of the Strategic Housing Plan; co-development of the Portland/Vancouver metro area Bridges to Housing program; annual participation in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week advocacy activities; facilitating Clark County’s Ten-Year Plan on homelessness; introduction of local Homeless Persons Memorial Day events; development, implementation and hosting of Clark County Project Homeless Connect; and continuing our ongoing advocacy efforts at the local state and regional levels to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community are met to stabilize their lives and improve their chances of becoming self-sufficient once again.

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Welcome | About Homelessness | Who We Are | What We Do | What You Can Do
Are You Homeless? | Emergency Shelter | Community Housing | Resource Guide | Community Voice Mail
HMIS Data Services | Coalition of Service Providers
Donate | Links | Newsletter | Contact Us
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