South Sound Times

Permanent transitional housing, for an average of 18 to 26 Lewis County Drug Court program participants each year, has been secured with the assistance of an over $460,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The Lewis County Commissioners learned on Monday that they were awarded a Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition Grant.

The grant pays for the county’s purchase of a duplex in Chehalis, which since 2019 has been used to provide housing to unsheltered program participants, markedly improving the program’s outcomes and benefit to the participants and the broader community.

“For almost 20 years, the Lewis County Drug Court has helped participants overcome addiction, learn life skills, develop a peer support network, find stable housing and employment, and avoid incarceration and recidivism,” Lewis County Housing and Infrastructure Specialist Eric Eisenberg said.

“Someone at high risk to re-offend is a good candidate for this intensive two year long program, which assist them in improving their lives and not committing crimes in the future.”

‘The program uses a carrot-and-stick approach to overcome setbacks and relapse and reward progress, and overall is recognized nationwide as an effective, compassionate means of encouraging long-lasting life change and self-sufficiency,” added Eisenberg.

“This transitional housing gives them a solid foundation for success in their journey in recovery,” said Stephanie Miller, Manager of the Lewis County Drug Court and Family Recovery Court programs. “The comradery among participants provides a sense of family, and along with intensive treatment and court supervision, are reasons why the program is so successful.”

Pictured: Lewis County Drug Court and Family Recovery Court Manager Stephanie Miller, left, and Eric Eisenberg, Lewis County Housing and Infrastructure Specialist.

Original source can be found here.