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Community House/CoreHealth presents three homelessness-focused proposals; commissioners ask for metrics and audits

Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners · November 26, 2025

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Summary

Community House and CoreHealth briefed the board on three draft proposals — a 32-unit young-adult transitional housing pilot, operational support for the Best Place youth shelter (projected ~$250,000 annual shortfall), and $33,000 annually for TBRA — and commissioners asked for clearer metrics, audits and contingency language before any decision.

Representatives from Community House on Broadway and CoreHealth described three draft projects seeking county partnership or funding.

Jordan Wisdom, identified as chief operating officer for CoreHealth, and Frank (Community House) presented: a young-adult transitional housing pilot that would master-lease 32 hotel units (four with kitchenettes), split into high-barrier (abstinence/accountability) and low-barrier beds and supported by on-site behavioral staff; operational funding for Best Place, an unaccompanied youth shelter licensed by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) that the presenters said has a current annual operating shortfall around $250,000; and a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) request of $33,000 per year for two years to support households moving from shelter to stable housing.

Presenters gave statistics: Community House said it served about 751 people last year and expects about 800 this year; TBRA reporting cited 35 households assisted between 2022 and 2025 with $97,000 spent. Presenters said Best Place is licensed for 24 beds and generally houses roughly a dozen youth at a time, with significant staffing and regulatory requirements under DCYF.

Commissioners and other speakers questioned program metrics, oversight, auditability and whether the organizations function more like businesses than voluntary charities. One commissioner asked for a system of checks and balances and requested more specific metrics and regular reporting on outcomes and recidivism. CoreHealth and Community House said they welcome accountability and said they already submit quarterly reports and financial audits to funders; they asked the board to review the packet and return with follow-up in coming weeks.

The board did not take any funding votes at the workshop and planned to continue review and follow-up with staff and presenters.