Providence Health Care Awards Pioneer Human Services with Grant to Continue Support Service Enriched Housing Program in Spokane
Spokane, Washington — September 10, 2019 — Pioneer Human Services announced it was awarded a grant for $84,300 from Providence Health Care to provide an integrated approach to housing, behavioral health, and medical services at the Carlyle in Spokane. This program aligns with the increasing recognition in healthcare research that up to 60% of a person’s health is connected to social determinants such as stable housing, social support and healthcare access. The Carlyle housing program provides service-enriched housing for individuals who have a substance use disorder and/or mental health condition, and face barriers to stable housing and employment due to having a conviction history.
“We are so appreciative of Providence Health Care’s continued commitment to supporting justice-involved individuals who are struggling with homelessness while trying to re-enter the community,” said Karen Lee, CEO of Pioneer Human Services. “It is very rewarding to witness our residents settling into their new homes, building relationships with their neighbors and getting more engaged in the community. I’m also encouraged that so many of our local non-profits and larger healthcare systems are coming together to really make a difference for people.”
Thanks to Providence, the Carlyle supportive housing program is in its second year of services. In the first year, nearly 90% of participants remained stable in their housing and did not return to homelessness or incarceration. Pioneer evaluates the Carlyle’s outcomes every six months to ensure the program is providing the support needed. After the first year, participants reported improved health, increased sense of well-being and feeling hopeful about their future. Additionally, participants were helped in accessing healthcare at the appropriate setting, which substantially reduced unnecessary use of emergency services and emergency rooms. This program is part of a larger county-wide initiative that aligns workforce training, mental health treatment and stable housing with investments from private and public partnerships.
“This grant is vital to ensuring that our residents have access to the services they need to build healthier lives – both on-site and through other community providers,” said Brenda Graham, Carlyle director. “It also helps us empower residents to support each other and create a safe neighborhood atmosphere within the program that extends out to the downtown community.”
The Carlyle is located at 206 S. Post Street in downtown Spokane.
About Pioneer
Pioneer Human Services is a social enterprise that provides individuals with past conviction histories an array of treatment, housing and employment services to help their transition into a healthy, productive life. The organization currently has 50 programs across Washington state with eight of the programs located in Spokane. www.PioneerHumanServices.org
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