Homelessness is a daunting experience on its own, but for those with behavioral health challenges, the hurdles can seem insurmountable. That's where programs such as Bridging Connections step in, offering a vital lifeline toward stability. Funded by the Supportive Housing Services Measure and operated by the nonprofit New Narrative, the program is tailored to support those under County behavioral health treatment who face homelessness or housing insecurities. New Narrative's program manager Kristin Skinner detailed that their clients' needs vary greatly, from post-hospitalization to loss of housing under different circumstances.
The game-changer for the program came with the addition of a dedicated housing specialist, Wendie Smith, in 2024. This role was crucial because former attempts to assist participants in their search for housing often faced coordination challenges. "Oftentimes it might be like, Tuesday was a phenomenal day to work on housing, but their appointment was Wednesday, and on Wednesday, they’re not feeling it," Skinner told Multnomah County News. Smith's presence on-site, splitting her time between two motel locations, has proven to be instrumental in building participants' trust.
Smith's approach embraces a hands-on, individualized strategy, guiding individuals through every step of the housing process, from gathering essential documentation to navigating landlord negotiations. "I love that about this position — that the responsibility ultimately is on the individual, but I can make an instrumental difference in supporting them,” Smith emphasized, as per Multnomah County News.
In this ongoing battle for stable housing, small victories mark significant milestones. Smith recently helped a participant who struggled with a language barrier and past negative experiences with governmental agencies to successfully apply for a Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance voucher. "The individual felt the process was confusing, and there was a language and cultural barrier. It was so frustrating that they almost turned down the RLRA voucher," Smith said in a statement provided to Multnomah County News. Ultimately, the collaborative effort led to success, and now, the once-homeless participant resides in a home they find comforting.
