Independence pg 4

This is an Equal Opportunity Program.
Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.
Complaints of discrimination may be filed with the Administrator, RHCDS, USDA, Washington, DC 20250-0700

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Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority


Program Special-Needs Housing Partners Federal Home Loan Bank Kitsap County Block Grant Kitsap Tenant Support Services Washington State Housing Trust Fund "When I get letters from people we help, it makes me feel we actually do make a difference. Some people - especially the disabled - just need a chance and then they'll take it from there." - Paul Gaudette, Federal Home Loan Bank "Without options like these, sometimes people with special needs just end up on the streets." - Carolyn Russell, Kitsap Tenant Support Services Results 94 safe, comfortable homes for people with special needs		Paul plays his keyboard by ear, sings in talent shows, and his boss says that Paul is the most focused and meticulous worker he has. But none of these skills helped Paul when he was living in
	Paul demonstrates his keyboard skills in his home, which he shares with two other developmentally disabled men. Before becoming part of KCCHA's Special-Needs Housing Program, Paul lived in a tough part of Kitsap County where people sometimes took advantage of his trusting nature.		a tough part of Kitsap County several years ago. "Paul sometimes wanders and he's so trusting that people take advantage of him," says Kitsap Tenant Support Services' Carolyn Russell. " He loves his independence, but that sometimes puts him at risk in the community." That's when the Kitsap County Consolidated
		Housing Authority stepped in and put together the funding partnerships necessary to buy and rehabilitate a duplex in a safer neighborhood for Paul. He now lives there with two roommates, who are also developmentally disabled. KCCHA's Housing Developer Julie Graves emphasizes that these projects don't happen without help. "There are a lot of organizations - both public and private - that are looking to partner on worthwhile projects like this."

		Paul loves his grounds maintenance job, and at 61 years old, doesn't want to even think about retirement. "I want to work till I die. I don't think it's fun to be lazy."
With a safe place to live, Paul can concentrate on his job, learning to get along with his room- mates, and hobbies like listening to his record collection. Federal Home Loan Bank's Gaudette says his organization supports this program because people with special needs "just need a chance and then they'll take it from there."	Public organizations - like Kitsap County Block Grant and the Washington State Housing Trust Fund - are an important source of money for the housing authority, but nearly three-quarters of KCCHA's operating funds come from the private sector, including the Federal Home Loan Bank, a privately owned wholesale bank that provides low cost funding and community grants for housing. Paul himself recommends the program to anyone who asks. "I always like to be independent," he says.