Licensed Emergency Shelter
Rendering of proposed licensed emergency shelter located on parcels located between 1011 E to 1017 E Chestnut Avenue, Yakima.
While we can provide our Yakima Youth a shower, a meal, a place to wash their clothes, and a connection to community resources and support, we currently cannot provide the one truly essential service—an emergency shelter for those experiencing unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. There are currently no licensed overnight emergency beds in Yakima County for minors. With your help, we hope to change that.
Rod’s House is seeking a land use permit to build an emergency shelter for youth and young adults at 1017 E Chestnut Avenue.
The youth side of the shelter will offer eight beds to youth ages 13 to 17 for overnight stays. The young adult side of the emergency shelter will provide enhanced overnight care to young adults ages 18 to 24. Guests can stay for a single night or multiple nights and will have access to education and employment training, behavioral health care, and non-emergency medical care.
Rod’s House is pleased to work with Environmental Works Community Design Center on the architecture and landscape design for this project.
The shelter will provide:
8 Youth beds (ages 13-17)
10 Young adult beds (ages 18-24)
24/7
On-site residential staff
Case Managers
Behavioral Health Specialists
Life Skills Training
Cooking/cleaning, financial planning, and social interactions
Education and employment support
Shared kitchen and common areas
Timeline
We are currently seeking a land use permit. Once we receive the permit the estimated timeline for construction is:
Spring 2023
Groundbreaking
Spring 2023 - Spring 2024
Construction
Summer 2024
Open for services
Funding and Support
The total estimated project cost is $6,264,153. Below is our cost summary.
| Description | Cost | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Land Acquisition | $310,000 | 5% |
| Construction | $3,314,000 | 53% |
| Soft Costs for Development | $798,679 | 13% |
| Financing Fees | $97,000 | 2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There will be a privacy gate surrounding the majority of the building’s property. Although the street-facing fence will not have locks on the gate, the building itself will be locked at all times.
- Shelter will be staffed 24/7
- Grounds will provide adequate lighting for increased safety
- Grounds will include landscaping to blend into the residential area
Shelter will require guests to adhere to a curfew and drug and alcohol use will not be permitted on the premises
- Case managers will help guests find education and employment resources
Yes. There will be a curfew established for both wings of the building, as well guidelines set for general noise compliance, behavioral expectations, and minimum bed night usage.
We plan to follow all regulations that allow this shelter to offer licensed beds for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.
Before the shelter opens:
- Submit your public comments! Let us know what you think.
- Follow us on social media for details of our upcoming fundraising campaign.
- Tell your friends! We want this project to be a community effort to take care of our young people.
After the shelter opens:
- Volunteer time at the shelter in engagement activities with young people.
- Become a meal partner by bringing prepped meals to the shelter or coming to the shelter to cook meals on site.
- Donate hygiene items and snack foods.
Email your questions or comments to ask.planning@yakimawa.gov. Refer to project # CL3#003-21.