Heart House

Heart House is a three-story, mixed-use development consisting of 11 units of one and two-bedroom Permanent Supportive Housing apartments designated for mother with children experiencing homelessness. The units will support high-needs families as identified by our community’s Coordinated Entry System and further identified as needing Permanent Supportive housing.

On the ground floor of Heart House, will be a licensed childcare facility to provide full-time care for up to 32 children ages 12 months to 5 years.

This integrated model includes home-based intensive case management and community building activities through Lydia Place’s Campus Support Program, evidence-based home-visiting parenting education and and parenting classes from our Parent Support Program, flexible/in-home therapy through our Mental Health Program, on-site access to services Monday through Friday, a 24-hour support line, and a large community garden and an spring/summer enrichment program.

Whatcom County faces two distinct crises significantly impacting families with young children. The first is a housing affordability and availability crisis, with vacancy rates hovering around 1.5% for multiple years running and rental rates continuing to soar. The second, is a crippling lack of licensed childcare slots. According to a report released by the Opportunity Council in March of 2018, there are only enough licensed childcare slots for 32% of Whatcom County’s children, and even fewer that accept State subsidy. Both these realities make it even more unlikely that families struggling with a housing crisis or experiencing homelessness will be able to get back on their feet. Further, it places children at risk by forcing parents to accept alternative and potentially risky childcare options when faced with losing their jobs. Heart House aims to addresses both these current needs by combining low-income permanent supportive housing and on-site licensed childcare.