A few years ago, several Shoreline area business leaders and clergy members came together around the apparent need for affordable housing and support services for homeless mothers and their children. The clergy reported finding several families “camping” in their cars in the church parking lots and found very little resources to help meet their needs. The vision for Vision House Jacob’s Well was birthed.
The target population for the Jacob’s Well project is single mothers and their children. Families with children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population.
According to King County’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, it is estimated that more than 8,400 people are homeless in King County each night (Committee to End Homelessness in King County, 2008). This past January, more than 2,700 people were counted as homeless during King County’s One Night Count.
Vision House purchased vacant lots in the Ballinger neighborhood of Shoreline, just off Ballinger Way business district, and began to recruit volunteers, donations of materials, and funding for the project. The complex will have 20 transitional housing units, on-site child care for 65 children and counseling offices for families who need extra support.
“We are amazed with the outpouring of community support for this effort,” said local business owner Kurt Campbell. “We currently have over 23 different churches, many local businesses and countless individuals who have all pledged support.”
The project broke ground on April 11, 2010 with commitments from several vendors and churches in place: Howland Homes and Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church provided the clearing, grading and general contracting; the foundation was donated by Graham Contracting with several of their vendors; Advanced Plumbing and Heating has agreed to provide a significant amount of the needed plumbing. and Alderwood Community Church has committed to providing the windows along side Intermountain Glass.
“This project is really being driven by an incredible group of volunteers,” said Susan Camerer, Vision House Executive Director. “We will use volunteers in almost all areas of construction from framing to landscaping and everything in between!”
For more information on how to get your community group, church or business involved, email Vision House or visit the following links:
Photos and story courtesy Vision House
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