Benedict House provides emergency beds for 24 single men, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are comfortable in a male-identifying shelter, experiencing homelessness. In addition, the shelter provides 4 additional respite beds through Virginia Mason/CHI Franciscan for those needing time to recover after medical treatment.
Living arrangements are provided in a physically and emotionally safe, dormitory-style environment. Sheets, towels, and toiletries are provided along with showers, complimentary laundry access, and locked storage.
Residents utilize the common room and kitchen where they can use the computers, read books, watch tv, and drink coffee in a warm, welcoming space. Mail can also be received to reduce barriers toward pursuing stability.
At Benedict House, staff use a team approach when providing support for residents. Each resident arrives with different challenges and needs. Once the initial need for food and shelter is provided, staff and case management can begin working toward individualized goals and needs of each person, from the most basic (ID, social security card) to complex (completing legal requirements, finding and keeping stable housing).
Our services include access and assistance with gaining identification, establishing stable income, signing up for health insurance, coordinating medical, dental, and mental health care, referrals for legal aid and advocacy toward legal needs, coordinating necessary substance use treatment, and finding and retaining permanent, affordable housing. Residents are encouraged but not required to use our services with consistency to support them in securing stability.