Lincoln Place II: hope, dignity, stability
On September 24, Vancouver Housing Authority (VHA) celebrated the opening of Lincoln Place II. Like Lincoln Place I next door, the apartment complex provides affordable housing and wraparound services to people who had been experiencing homelessness.
While VHA owns the building, Share provides on-site, supportive services to residents, including case management.
“This isn’t just bricks and mortar,” said JeJe Nzirimu, Housing Achievement and Enrichment Program Director. “This is hope, dignity, stability. It’s healing. And it proves something powerful — that homelessness can be ended.”
“It really takes everybody to do something like this. This is a special community. This doesn’t get done every place. We should be very proud of ourselves,” shared, Andy Silver, CEO of VHA.
Eight residents have already moved in. One shared this: “For the first time in a long time, I’ve been able to sleep through the night. I’m grateful to finally have a safe place to call home.”
Six residents will move in each month, until all 40 studio apartments are full.
The apartment complex also includes a community room and a staffed medical clinic, through a partnership with PeaceHealth.
Residents contribute 35% of their income as payment toward rent and utilities; the rest is subsidized through VHA.
Engagement in supportive services by residents is voluntary with services meant to promote independent living, positive tenancy, and to facilitate connection to community services which can include healthcare, employment, and recovery services.
Permanent supportive housing, also known as Housing First,’ is a proven solution to homelessness for the most vulnerable chronically homeless people. It pairs housing with case management and supportive services, while reducing the costs of homelessness to individuals and their communities.
