Secure Housing for Vulnerable Groups

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Consultation has concluded

Some groups of people are especially vulnerable to homelessness, and need specific supports that go along with housing

Our 2017-2023 Consolidated Plan included a special needs assessment for the elderly population, disabled population, victims of domestic violence, persons with behavioral health needs (including substance use disorder), and single-parent families. 

Over the coming months, we will be looking at how these needs have grown and/or changed. The good news is that the City of Bellingham, with the help of our non-profit partners, is continuing to add more housing to address these specific and growing needs. The map to the right shows all of the current and upcoming (in green) affordable and special needs projects in Bellingham. The size of the dots correspond to the number of units in each building.

By clicking on the map, you can go to an interactive web page where you can learn more about each of these projects (scroll down to Housing Projects).


Scroll through the slides below for a quick introduction to the kinds of housing that meet the needs of some special needs groups. Then share your ideas or ask a question below!



Some groups of people are especially vulnerable to homelessness, and need specific supports that go along with housing

Our 2017-2023 Consolidated Plan included a special needs assessment for the elderly population, disabled population, victims of domestic violence, persons with behavioral health needs (including substance use disorder), and single-parent families. 

Over the coming months, we will be looking at how these needs have grown and/or changed. The good news is that the City of Bellingham, with the help of our non-profit partners, is continuing to add more housing to address these specific and growing needs. The map to the right shows all of the current and upcoming (in green) affordable and special needs projects in Bellingham. The size of the dots correspond to the number of units in each building.

By clicking on the map, you can go to an interactive web page where you can learn more about each of these projects (scroll down to Housing Projects).


Scroll through the slides below for a quick introduction to the kinds of housing that meet the needs of some special needs groups. Then share your ideas or ask a question below!



Consultation has concluded

What questions do you have about how the City currently helps provide housing for special needs groups?

  • Share What work is being done to address critical scarcity of services being made available and accessible to housing locations that are supposed to offer permanent supportive housing? Have agencies managing them, like the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services - in the case of 22 North, for example - been consulted about the resources needed (other than the funds just offered the Opportunity Council by Whatcom County for the restabilization of 22 North) and how improvements can be made in providing them? How can housing programs better live up to the type of effective services the community and their residents are led to believe are being offered? on Facebook Share What work is being done to address critical scarcity of services being made available and accessible to housing locations that are supposed to offer permanent supportive housing? Have agencies managing them, like the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services - in the case of 22 North, for example - been consulted about the resources needed (other than the funds just offered the Opportunity Council by Whatcom County for the restabilization of 22 North) and how improvements can be made in providing them? How can housing programs better live up to the type of effective services the community and their residents are led to believe are being offered? on Twitter Share What work is being done to address critical scarcity of services being made available and accessible to housing locations that are supposed to offer permanent supportive housing? Have agencies managing them, like the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services - in the case of 22 North, for example - been consulted about the resources needed (other than the funds just offered the Opportunity Council by Whatcom County for the restabilization of 22 North) and how improvements can be made in providing them? How can housing programs better live up to the type of effective services the community and their residents are led to believe are being offered? on Linkedin Email What work is being done to address critical scarcity of services being made available and accessible to housing locations that are supposed to offer permanent supportive housing? Have agencies managing them, like the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services - in the case of 22 North, for example - been consulted about the resources needed (other than the funds just offered the Opportunity Council by Whatcom County for the restabilization of 22 North) and how improvements can be made in providing them? How can housing programs better live up to the type of effective services the community and their residents are led to believe are being offered? link

    What work is being done to address critical scarcity of services being made available and accessible to housing locations that are supposed to offer permanent supportive housing? Have agencies managing them, like the Opportunity Council and Northwest Youth Services - in the case of 22 North, for example - been consulted about the resources needed (other than the funds just offered the Opportunity Council by Whatcom County for the restabilization of 22 North) and how improvements can be made in providing them? How can housing programs better live up to the type of effective services the community and their residents are led to believe are being offered?

    Dena asked over 2 years ago

    Thanks you for your question. The degree of support that our permanent supportive housing providers have been able to offer in recent years has been hampered by staffing challenges. These challenges have been exacerbated by the pandemic and rising cost of living. Without adequate staffing, residents cannot get the level of support they may need to develop the skills needed to navigate modern life. However, the City does have frequent check-in’s with Permanent Supportive Housing providers about staffing and other program needs. This is a complex problem, but one that the City continues to work on with our partners.