Purpose

The Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County established Giffen House to provide affordable transitional housing and support services for single mothers with children and single women.

Description

The Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County (CAPSC) developed Giffen House to help single mothers and homeless women overcome barriers to self-sufficiency.  All residents are involved in activities designed to help them find employment, a living wage, and permanent housing. 

While located in a residential neighborhood, Giffen House can accommodate up to 12 women and their children since it was originally built as a long-term care facility.  Rent payments are charged at below-market rates affordable to households at 50% of median income or less (2005 = $375).  These funds help CAPSC cover mortgage and other related costs.  Residents may remain at Giffen House for up to a two-year period. 

Each family has their own room, while other space in the facility is shared.  This includes the kitchen, living room, dining room, computer and phone rooms, laundry room, and outdoor patio space.  Each woman is responsible for preparing meals required for herself and her children, while household chores are handled on a rotation basis.  Giffen House is a “Clean and Sober” facility and all residents are required to abide by House Rules and to attend the Thursday Night House meeting. 

Individual Service Plans are developed to establish goals and strategies that will lead toward self-sufficiency. Each resident signs an Agreement to fulfill her responsibilities under the ISP and to abide by Giffen House Rules and Regulations. 

Community involvement and support is an important facet of Giffen House.  Volunteer activities may include preparation of a Sunday meal, childcare to provide mothers with respite, landscaping or maintenance tasks, etc.  Area groups (i.e. the Kiwanis Club) and businesses have helped assist with various group projects. 

An overview of Giffen House provides information on coordination with community resources and additional examples of volunteer involvement. 

CAPSC publishes a “Wish List” that provides examples of items that could be donated to Giffen House.  Monetary contributions are encouraged for annual room sponsorships at $500 or to pay for capital improvements such as a new kitchen, interior painting, furnishings, appliances, bathroom upgrades, etc.  

Giffen House is on of several programs under CAPSC’s Housing Services Department and it is also a component of the Continuum of Care Plan for homeless services in Sonoma County.

Outcomes

Approximately 88 households have resided in Giffen House in 6½ years from 2000 to mid-2005 (not counting people who move out within 60 days due to personal choice or unwillingness to live by the House Rules.  An average stay at Giffen House is 9 months – from less than 60 days to a maximum of two years. 

Of the residents who reside longer than 60 days and who have participated in the Caring Communities case management program or the Wellness program for single women:

• 65% have been outplaced to long-term, affordable, safe housing in their own names
• 90% of the non-disabled and 25% of the disabled heads of household have achieved employment outcomes of at least 20-30 hours per week of employment
• 35% of all above residents are involved in educational, employment, or job readiness activities.

Also:

• 40% of all residents exhibit mental health, physical health, or developmental disabilities.
• 85% of all entrants into the facility have substance abuse as a prior contributing issue to their homelessness; 75% of these clients remain clean and sober during their stay at Giffen House.
• 65% of all residents have domestic violence as an issue in their lives.

Individual success stories document the accomplishments of families served by Giffen House.