If you are currently homeless, living on the streets, in emergency shelter, transitional housing, fleeing domestic violence, or staying somewhere not meant for human habitation (garage, tent, car, etc.), first contact Coordinated Entry to review your housing status and learn more about available resources throughout the community.

A Coordinated Entry provider will determine if you are eligible for any resources currently available with any participating organization, not just CAP.

If Coordinated Entry determines that you qualify for a CAP program opening, CAP will be notified by the Coordinated Entry staff. Someone from the CAP housing department will reach out to you at the contact information you provide during your Coordinated Entry screening to enroll you in the program that best fits your needs and situation.

Lower Columbia CAP Housing Programs provide rental assistance services to people who:

• • • Are low income
    • Lack financial resources to obtain housing
    • Live on the streets, in a car, tent, or a place not intended for human habitation or are staying in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
    • Need support to obtain immediate housing

CAP housing assistance clients may receive:

• • • Assistance identifying vacancies for housing search
    • Financial assistance with move-in costs such as deposits, first/last months rent and utility deposits
    • Rental assistance
    • Coaching for housing stability, including help troubleshooting issues and identifying options
    • Resource navigation to help access services for stability

    Housing and Essential Needs (HEN)

                   HEN Frequently Asked Questions

The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Program provides non-cash assistance (personal hygiene items and monthly bus passes) for recipients of state-funded Medical Care Services (MCS). To see if you qualify for HEN non-cash assistance, please contact DSHS.

HEN Rental Assistance

HEN rental assistance may be available to pay for all or a portion of rental costs, utility deposits, utility costs and moving costs. Rental assistance openings are provided based on availability of funds. If you are approved for HEN and are homeless (living on the streets, in a car, tent, or a place not intended for human habitation or are staying in an emergency shelter or transitional housing) please contact Coordinated Entry.

Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG)

This program offers short-term rental assistance, support with move-in costs, and case management services. If you are homeless, please contact Coordinated Entry.

Young Adult Housing Program (YAHP)

This program is for young adults 18-24 years old. If you are homeless or unstably housed (where you are living isn’t safe, you’re doubled up with friends or family, you’re staying outside, in a car, on the streets, couch surfing, or otherwise staying on a night-by-night basis), please contact Coordinated Entry.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Permanent Supportive Housing is a 6-bed group home setting for male residents that have experienced chronic homelessness. Permanent Supportive Housing case management services support residents in achieving their stability goals and community reintegration. Program availability is dependent on house vacancies. To see if you qualify, please contact Coordinated Entry.

Care Coordination – Pathways

          CAP, in partnership with CHOICE, offers care coordination services to support health and stability. Services include                        coordinating with medical providers, assistance accessing medical insurance, addressing hunger and access to                              nutritional food, advocating for community resources that can support housing, mental health, educational,                                  employment, or other stability goals. Specialized care coordination may be available for senior needs. Care Coordinators            can work with all other social service providers to create a network of support around individual and household needs.              Care coordination services are available to all adult Cowlitz & Wahkiakum County residents.

Eviction Prevention

          CAP, in partnership with Community Mediation Center, is offering financial assistance to qualifying households who                    have  fallen behind in rent. Households with legal eviction notices are prioritized. To access this help, households must                first contact the Community Mediation Center as referrals for this assistance can only come to CAP through them. Please            note funding is limited.

      Foundational Community Supports (FCS) – Housing

          Foundational Community Supports (FCS) is a program with benefits for supportive housing for people with Medicaid. In              this program, CAP Housing Case Managers can help you find a place to live, keep your current home, move out of an                    institution and into the community, and find extra local services that can help with your housing needs. To refer                          yourself or someone else, please contact Gina Nugent, Housing Department Manager, at (360) 762-3200 or                            ginan@lowercolumbiacap.org.

Client Resources:

Private Landlord List

Washington State Landlord Tenant Laws

Coordinated Entry for Cowlitz County

Wahkiakum County Housing Resources

Landlord Forms:

Landlord Forms – Return to CAP

Washington State Landlord-Tenant Obligations & Landlord Mitigation Program Guidelines