Vision House provides transitional housing and support services for families and single homeless men.
Proven Success
Vision House operates four properties in King County. In 2009, they opened a new facility in Renton in the Children’s Village Complex, which added three apartments, expanded the child care center, and added counseling and administrative offices. The child care program serves up to 100 children and has an ongoing waiting list. In the past 5 years 100% of Vision House’s residents in the family program transitioned to permanent housing. Jacob’s Well, Vision House’s newest expansion project, is expected to open in June of 2013 and will be able to serve 35 families at one time, which could equate to 105 bednights each night and over 38,000 bednights each year.
Best Practices
Vision House’s success is greatly due to individualized tailor-made plans for each family they serve. They provide integrated services including regular on-site training in life skills such as money management, goal setting, parenting skills, time management and job readiness. They use a Self-Sufficiency Matrix (adapted from the Arizona Homeless Evaluation Project and the Snohomish County Self-Sufficiency Task Force) to measure a client’s level of self-sufficiency. Exit interviews are conducted with both mom and children when a family leaves Vision House.
Collaboration
Through their partnerships with agencies such as Hopelink, Vine Maple Place, local churches, community service groups, and social service agencies, they are able to provide client referrals to Vision House, rental assistance, and other aid. Vision House is currently partnering with Vine Maple Place in Maple Valley to share landscape and maintenance needs for both agencies as well as a shared staff position.
Financial Health
The Board is fiscally smart. By policy, they begin each year with an operating reserve of at least three months operating expenses. In preparation for the loss of Section 8 funding that Vision House has had for the last 10 years which will amount in a $180,000 cut in funding they are reaching out to supporters, launching a team of volunteer fundraisers, and soliciting funds at their new Thrift Store. They are committed to both diversify their funding base as well as seeking new business that fit within their mission while generating income to support operations of the organization.
Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:
Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:
| Date | Amount | | Purpose |
|---|
| 3/10/2013 |
$10,000.00 |  | provide general operating support. | | 3/10/2011 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 12/10/2009 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 10/18/2007 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 6/16/2005 |
$20,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. |
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