Renton, WA - Sept. 5, 2024

Just as school begins across Western Washington, local families living in cars, tents and doubled up with friends are asking for help at record rates, according to Renton-based Christian nonprofit Vision House. The organization provides transitional housing, programs and support services for families experiencing homelessness.

In July alone, Vision House met with 97 homeless families, more than 50% higher than normal for a summer month. Considering the overall trend for 2024, Vision House expects to serve about 1,000 local families this year, a 25%-30% increase over last year.

“Summer is always demanding – but Winter is always worse,” said Bri Baines, family transitions director at Vision House. “But this Summer, we’ve been slammed. I am worried about what this will mean as we get into the fall and winter months.”

Evictions appear to be playing a role. Over the summer, Vision House caseworkers found about 40% of families needing help had been evicted. Normally, the rate of evictions for families served by the organization is around 10%.

Vision House Executive Director Derek Sciba said credit and rental history are barriers for families trying to move from homelessness to permanent housing.

“We’re working hard to help families rebuild credit and provide other solutions so that moms, dads and kids can finally find a home and stability,” said Sciba.

The price of rent is uniquely prohibitive for low-income families in the Seattle metro area. At current rates, a single parent with kids would need to work two jobs in order to qualify for market-rate rental housing, leading to difficult decisions about where to stay and provide food and resources for children.

“We believe in the worth of all people, and we’ll walk with families through their challenges,” said Sciba. “No parent should have to choose whether to pay rent, buy gas to get to work, or buy groceries to feed their children after school.”

About Vision House

Founded in 1990, Vision House empowers families experiencing homelessness through supportive services and transitional housing, helping families with children break the homelessness cycle. As a Christian agency, we provide opportunities for life change to overcome trauma, generational poverty and situational homelessness. Vision House serves clients from Washington State, with facilities in Renton, Shoreline and Burien. Regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual preference, every person deserves a healthy home.

Learn more: visionhouse.org

Here the story on Northwest News Radio, Puget Sound Now: Vision House helping growing numbers of homeless families in King County – NewsRadio 97.7 FM | AM 1000 (nwnewsradio.com)