BRIDGING HOPE: SNAP’S APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS
In Spokane County, the bitter winds of winter serve as a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by those without homes. SNAP stands as a beacon of hope, leading the charge against homelessness. Last year, the Homeless Services team transitioned 288 people from homelessness to permanent housing.
“I would love to say we could have served more, but with my staff shrinking due to a loss of funding, I think 288 was a Herculean feat,” said Aaron Riley, Director of Essential Connections at SNAP.
At the heart of SNAP’s efforts lies an unwavering dedication to serving individuals and couples without dependent children who find themselves without shelter. Their approach begins with outreach specialists who travel the streets, shelters, and rural areas of the community, offering not just assistance but empathy and understanding.
“We do street outreach, going out into the community, connecting with people where they are,” Riley explained. “We have about nine people that are part of the Homeless Services team. We’re down about four positions, so we’re a small team but we’re mighty.”
SNAP’s efforts extend far beyond outreach alone. The Singles Homeless Coordinated Assessment (SHCA) is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) best practice that communities use to give people access to the Homeless Crisis Response System. This all-encompassing evaluation ensures inclusivity and accessibility and is seen as the front door for housing and services. In Spokane SNAP is the lead agency conducting the SHCA and is responsible for training 11 satellite agencies in the Spokane area on how to conduct the assessments.
“Typically, we can do an assessment in about 40 minutes,” Riley explained. “It can be a little traumatizing because it’s pretty invasive. It asks a lot of questions and could trigger someone’s past trauma.”
Following their evaluation, SNAP guides individuals through a housing stability plan to equip them with the resources and support they’ll need to navigate the challenges of finding housing. This includes providing financial support for deposits, move-in fees, and short-term rental assistance when necessary.
“Once we assess them, they go into a pool for interventions they can choose to exit homelessness,” Riley shared. “We have transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing that people can be eligible for to resolve their housing crisis.”
One of the options is called Diversion. Basically, a SNAP Housing Specialist will help the client identify what resources they may already have to end their housing crisis.
“They’ll ask them if they can resolve their housing problems with their current tools? What’s in your network? Do you have a family member that has a home where you can possibly rent a room or a basement?” Riley explained.
Despite obstacles such as funding shortages and a competitive housing market, SNAP remains steadfast in its mission. Their team, though lean, is resilient and determined to make a difference. Riley says during the team’s weekly meeting they reflect on their successes.
“Maybe we had 10 people housed that week. To me, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what we’re here for. We’re celebrating those 10 people moving into affordable housing,” Riley shared. “When you see someone come off the streets that’s been homeless for several years and you get them housed, when they walk into that apartment for the first time, it’s a feeling of accomplishment that we’re doing the right thing. “
Through collaboration with local agencies and community stakeholders, SNAP maximizes resources and expands outreach, embodying the spirit of compassion and community collaboration.
“We work with Frontier Behavioral Health, Spokane Regional Health District, the street medicine outreach team. We go out with them, and they see clients on the street. They provide care right there on the spot.”
In the face of adversity, SNAP’s comprehensive approach offers hope and a pathway to a brighter future for Spokane County’s unhoused population.
“Currently, our biggest challenge is funding. The second biggest challenge for the program is finding housing in a market where you have a vacancy rate of virtually zero,” Riley remarked. “For every person that’s looking for a housing unit, there’s probably five to seven people competing for that same unit.”
As rental markets tighten and costs rise, SNAP remains resolute in its commitment to finding innovative solutions to homelessness.
”Every time we house somebody, that’s a celebration. Being able to see someone move out of crisis and move back into stability, knowing where they’re going to sleep tonight, knowing where their meals are going to come from. When these people move into a unit, they go into it with nothing. When they get the keys to that apartment, that’s just the beginning.”
Aaron Riley, Director of Essential Connections at SNAP