August 2023 Newsletter

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Additional Samaritan Inn Housing

Our first Transitional Housing Program house for women was opened in May. It’s now full of renters, and there is additional need for transitional housing among homeless women. We have purchased a second building next door to the house. Location for the sake of developing a campus, was more important than the work to be done on converting this small, commercial office into housing units. Reasonable terms were negotiated on a land sales contract, otherwise known as an owner carried contract. Only a small down payment was necessary to take possession. We had pursued the owners of this unoccupied building, knowing they had an interest in selling, for nearly a year. We assured them that we would accept the run-down property as is, then remodel it for homeless women. Neighborhood and cost-effectiveness were of greater concern, than the complexity of working through city and county building codes. Plans are now being drawn. This is a work in progress, still needing donor support to complete.

This Transitional Housing Program is an important step between our emergency shelter and independent living. It’s a proven method of reducing recidivism, the tendency to relapse into a former condition. Fewer clients return to the shelter from such programs. They have an opportunity to learn independent living skills, while still having full access to the Samaritan Inn campus, staff, and services for support. There is accountability of behavior, visitors, curfew, rent, chapel. Women have a safe, healthy environment to gain confidence. They do not have to remain in addictive habits, abusive situations, codependent relationships. There can be freedom and hope.

Salina is pictured here in the living room of our first transitional house. Her employment easily affords her the reasonable rent for a private bedroom and shared use of the house. It’s so much more peaceful than the turmoil of her living with a relative in constant friction. Family can be supportive during a season of change in life, but for a live-in adult, it can be stifling. Salina felt oppressed by family expectations and significant differences in religious beliefs. She was stuck in codependency. It broke in a loud argument and the need for separation.

At 5am, it was still dark when she arrived at Samaritan Inn. After a couple of months, Salina said, “It’s been good. It has helped me stay away from family. You just follow the rules, and you’re good. I am at a turning point in my life, discovering the truth about God for myself, learning in chapel. I have a goal to get out on my own, have my own independent life.” She likes our house because we did not check on her bad credit or rental history, there was no long waiting list, and she is not in our shelter dormitory anymore.