The Shelter Plus Care program offers community members experiencing homelessness an opportunity for stable and permanent affordable housing with individualized support services. The Bellingham Housing Authority partners with Lake Whatcom Treatment Center, Archdiocesan Housing Authority, Pioneer Human Services and the Opportunity Council, who each serve as Sponsor Agencies. As a Sponsor Agency, these organizations own or master-lease units that are occupied by participants, and also coordinate individualized supportive services through a low-barrier housing first approach.
Eligible participants for Shelter Plus Care include disabled families who are experiencing homelessness and have significant mental health challenges. A preference is given to households who meet HUD’s definition of chronically homeless, and all referrals come from the Whatcom Homeless Service Center’s Housing Interest Pool.