Island Center Homes (ICH) was created to provide stable, affordable housing for Vashon residents who otherwise would not have access to a permanent home. Since opening, the ICH community has made meaningful progress. Residents are doing well, building stability, and engaging positively with one another and the broader island community. As in any housing community, occasional challenges arise, and they are addressed through well-established fair housing policies and legal processes.

In light of recent questions from community about staffing at ICH, Vashon HouseHold (VHH) would like to provide clear information about how resident services are structured at ICH and why this model was chosen. The questions raised about staffing and lease enforcement reflect routine operational decisions faced by housing providers across the region, particularly in rural communities.

ICH has a full-time, on-site Resident Services Coordinator, present weekdays and available weekends as necessary, whose role includes assessing resident needs, connecting residents to services, coordinating on-site support, providing individual assistance, and fostering a safe and stable community. This position has been in place since lease-up starting January 2025 and reflects the current needs of the resident population.

During early planning discussions—before the building opened and before resident make-up and resources were finalized—VHH explored several service models, including the possibility of an on-site social worker. As Island Center Homes became operational and the resident community took shape, VHH evaluated actual needs, funding requirements, resources available, and best practices in supportive housing. Based on that assessment, we implemented a full-time Resident Services Coordinator role, supplemented by off-site professional partners, as the most appropriate and sustainable model for ICH. VHH continues to evaluate staffing and services and will make changes if resident needs warrant them.

ICH is designated by King County as Permanent Housing with Supports (which is different from Permanent Supportive Housing). Neither county nor state funding contracts require an on-site licensed social worker for this type of housing. As is common in supportive housing—particularly in rural communities—VHH uses a hybrid service model, combining on-site coordination with off-site professional partners when specialized or clinical services are needed.

In addition to internal staffing, ICH residents are connected via the Resident Services Coordinator to support through established community partnerships, including Mobile Integrated Health via Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, Vashon Youth & Family Services, the Senior Center, King County social services, and other local providers. This approach allows services to be responsive, flexible, and tailored to individual resident needs.

Like many rural communities, Vashon faces a limited availability of resources and behavioral health, substance use, medical, and case management services. No single housing provider can reasonably meet the full range of needs that residents may experience over time. Our role is to provide stable housing and to connect residents to available supports—not to replace the broader social service system itself.

We actively collaborate with local and county partners, advocate for expanded services, and make the most of the resources that exist today. We welcome additional funding, partnerships, and community investment that would allow us to expand services further for residents at ICH and across all VHH properties.

Additionally, we must balance supportive service provision with clear expectations for residents about safety and lease compliance. When serious lease violations occur, VHH follows established legal and regulatory processes to protect residents, staff, and neighbors. These decisions are made carefully, documented thoroughly, and used only as a last resort after service coordination or provision is exhausted.

We believe that all Vashon HouseHold residents should feel safe in their home, and proud of their home.

We are proud of the progress made at Island Center Homes and grateful to the many residents, partners, and community members who have contributed to its success. VHH remains committed to transparency, responsible operations, and ongoing collaboration as we continue this work.

We welcome questions and encourage community members to reach out directly for accurate information about Vashon HouseHold, Island Center Homes, and our service model. Please email vhh@vashonhousehold.org to be in touch.