Housing Authority has options available for the homeless

I would like to make a correction to the Oct. 25, 2018 article “In the crosshairs: ML Council discusses homelessness.”

This article states that there is no homeless shelter in Moses Lake. This is untrue. For nearly nine years, the Housing Authority of Grant County has operated a shelter for families with children. And for families without children, the Housing Authority utilizes motel vouchers throughout the county. Not only do Housing Authority staff have access to these vouchers, but local agencies and first responders, including MLPD and Grant County Sheriff, do as well. They are used on a regular basis.

The Housing Authority of Grant County operates a homeless response system that is revered throughout the state. As the program manager for the past eight years, I have seen this program grow immensely. We have recently been acknowledged by the state as one of the top four small counties who serve the highest percentage of unsheltered homeless. We serve as a model program, sharing our policies and procedures not only with other homeless systems within the state, but also throughout the country.

There are many different ways to address homelessness; shelter is just one of them and is one of the least effective in solving the homelessness crisis. We here at the Housing Authority of Grant County strive to continue to offer services that enable those experiencing homelessness to gain safe and affordable housing. While there is much talk about what is not offered in Moses Lake, the Housing Authority of Grant County and other local agencies continue the daily challenge of housing those who are in crisis. We will continue to do so despite the lack of safe, affordable housing and other challenges that come our way. We will continue to be as resilient as the people we serve.

Steffanie Bonwell

Moses Lake