Holistic Solutions to Houselessness: Spotlight on Nam’u qas

Most people don’t set out to become unhoused. Instead, they’re often pushed into houselessness by a host of complex societal factors. For some, addiction and behavioral health issues prevent them from finding and maintaining stable housing. Others are forced outside because they can’t keep up with housing costs that have risen faster than wages. Educational achievement also plays an important role, as people who have not earned a high school diploma or GED are much more likely to become unhoused than those who have.

Finding an effective solution to one of these problems won’t always solve another. That’s why government agencies and their nonprofit and charitable partners must take a more holistic approach to combating housing insecurity and houselessness in Southwest Washington. To make positive change, our community needs a range of programs and services that address the very different needs of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Foster Care as a Pipeline to Houselessness

Foster children are one group that is particularly vulnerable to becoming unhoused. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, 50% of our country’s unhoused population spent time in foster care. Take a step back, and it’s easy to see the connection. The transition from childhood to adulthood is challenging enough with the support of a stable family system. Now replace that experience with one where children are shuttled between foster homes, many never landing anywhere permanent. It’s no wonder why so many foster children struggle to move from care to independent living successfully.

Nam’u qas Serves People Exiting Foster Care

While the situation for foster children in Washington State is better than in other parts of the country, these kids still face big challenges. Some continue receiving state support until age 21 if they meet certain criteria. However, a 2022 state study revealed that 17% of children who exit Washington’s foster care system become unhoused after one year. Programs designed to support these kids during such a tumultuous time can make a significant difference in their lives.

Here in Vancouver, the Department of Commerce, Vancouver Housing Authority, Cowlitz Tribe, and the City of Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Fund have joined forces to help this vulnerable group. Together, they developed Nam’u qas — the Cowlitz word for “to wish or hope,”— a low-income, low-barrier affordable housing community for youth exiting foster care.

The development consists of 30 one and two-bedroom apartments where youth exiting foster homes can live and access supportive services while they work to achieve self-sufficiency. As part of its mission to address housing insecurity and houslessness in Southwest Washington, The Firstenburg Foundation recently finalized a $75,000 grant distributed over three years in rent subsidies to Nam’u qas residents.

Working Towards a Dream

While there is no single solution that will bring all our community’s houseless residents into safe, stable, and affordable housing, we believe this effort will significantly reduce the number of foster children who end up in our local unhoused communities. We’re eager to continue working with our government and nonprofit partners to bring the Nam’u qas dream to life.