June 2023 Newsletter

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Transitional Housing For Women

Roseburg Rescue Mission opened Samaritan Inn with a single residential house in 1985, added a second house next door in 1999, acquired an adjoining third house in 2009. Then all three houses were traded as a down payment on a larger commercial property in 2015.

Now, a house has been purchased to begin a Transitional Housing Program for women to be completed in 2023.

The main campus of Samaritan Inn is an emergency housing facility with an optional program. Transitional housing is a step between that operation and independent living. It’s a program that includes paying fair rent. Rules include no drugs, alcohol, or men visitors. There is a required weekly chapel and nightly curfew.

Such programs have proven to be successful in reducing the number of clients that return to the emergency shelter. It’s an opportunity to learn independent living skills, like budgeting, buying groceries, cooking, cleaning. Its gaining confidence.

Clients still have full access to the Samaritan Inn campus, staff, and services for support. A screening process ensures that candidates are ready for transitional housing, without excluding some unnecessarily. Rental histories and background checks are not required; however, passing drug tests are a condition of acceptance into the program.

Priority is given to women from Samaritan Inn, where relationships of trust have already been developed. Yet, referrals from social service organizations can be considered. Clients can develop rental histories for referrals to future permanent housing and not have to be on long waiting lists for subsidized housing to gain greater independence. By the time this newsletter is mailed, the house should be open and applications accepted.

Kelly is considering this option. She and her husband both had professional careers. Kelly worked in the medical billing field for many years. They were making payments on a home and a new car. When her husband passed away, she had to move from their house into an apartment by herself. She continued to work, paying rent, making the car payment, even saving some.

In time, the stress of that major life change caused Kelly to have a heart attack, including surgery to implant stents. She was no longer able to work, so her income declined to just Social Security Disability benefits. She was no longer able to work, so her income declined. When she turns to 60 years of age, she will be eligible for Survivors benefits.

In the meantime, she continued paying the ever-increasing apartment rent, depleting her savings, living check to check. It was almost inevitable that something would go wrong to upset that fragile budget. When she could no longer pay the rent, she went to live with her sister. In short order, Kelly realized, “We just could not live together. I had not been around my sister in 30 years.” Kelly went to Samaritan Inn, but she was ready for more independent housing, like our new program.