Make a difference – host homes needed.

Tacoma, WA – Housing 4 Success (H4S) is part of a county-wide effort to end youth and young adult homelessness by providing individuals with the tools they need to become self-sufficient.

H4S is recruiting for Host Homes in the community. Host Home pairs a young person experiencing homelessness with a caring individual/family that has a spare bedroom and wants to make a difference. Host Home Providers receive support services from a Housing Specialist along with financial assistance.  “People have two basic needs: food and shelter,” says Dana Coggon, a Tacoma resident who opened her spare room to become a Host Home. In December, Dana was paired with a young homeless youth. “If I can give our spare room and a hand up to help someone be successful, it’s the least I can do.”

The youth and young adults accepted into the H4S program are screened, given assessments to determine individual needs, and assigned to a dedicated case manager to come up with a holistic plan to help them achieve their goals.

Dana, her partner and youth living-mate get together once a week for dinner to check-in. “This age is a sweet spot for me and my family. We get the opportunity to make a difference in his life, but he keeps his own schedule, is responsible and highly motivated.” Each participant pursues educational and/or employment opportunities, a series of life skills classes and meets regularly with their case manager.

Participants graduate once they’ve achieved their goals and can successfully live on their own without subsidy. “Living together, sharing and cross-pollinating ideas are some of the benefits we’ve experienced already. We had this great conversation the other day, he’s mentoring us too. It’s wonderful to see him not only survive but to thrive. He’s going to be very successful.”

Interested in becoming a Host Home? Contact Carley Cysensky at 253.272.1532 shstacomapc@harbornet.com for more information or to schedule an interview.

#  #  #

About Housing 4 Success (H4S)
H4S is the first and only transitional housing program for homeless, unaccompanied youth and young adults in Pierce County. H4S aims to end the cycle of homelessness by providing youth and young adults with the support and tools they need to become self-sufficient including housing, case management, life skills classes and more. A collaboration between Associated Ministries, the REACH Center, Shared Housing Services, Vadis, and Oasis, H4S is funded by Pierce County, the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Housing Authority.