 Hofmann House
Unemployment and homelessness are often stark realities for those who suffer with a severe mental illness. Affordable housing options are limited and wait lists are very long for low income or subsidized housing. Many people with a mental illness need support as they enter employment or transition from the streets to a home. Our Hofmann Houses for Men and for Women, provide the needed support within the home and from NAMI Greater Seattle (NAMI GS), to take the next step. In 1999, NAMI GS entered into partnership with several individuals who were coping with serious mental illness, and looking for a place to call their own. These six men, were guided by NAMI GS, contractors and volunteers, and funded by individual and corporate donors, to renovate an older house, thereby gaining valuable work experience and 'sweat equity' in their own stable, self-sustaining, and secure household. In the twenty years prior to this, these six men had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals, jail, were homeless, in rehabilitation for alcohol and substance abuse, and, in one case, in prison. Since 2000, without costly residential staff supervision, they have had no incarcerations, and only one suffered a brief hospitalization. All the house tenants are currently working, all pay rent, maintain the household together, stay in treatment, and support each other when symptoms threaten to break through. Hofmann House for Men (HH4M) became a working model to other agencies in our region, and NAMI GS began a new project, Hofmann House for Women (HH4W). As before, the prospective tenants worked on the remodel with help and funding from willing individuals and businesses. Renovation is complete, and five women now enjoy a stable and supportive home environment that will enable them to pursue counseling, job training, schooling, and employment. Read Seattle Times' article on HH4W Download the HH4W brochure Download an Application to live at one of the Hofmann Houses Nancy Cole our new director, who has extensive experience in housing people with mental illness, worked closely with NAMI GS on the original Hofmann House. She has made it a priority to retire all outstanding debt on the HH4W, and to see it become an example for other women and agencies. Goal: $300,000 * So far: $26,000 * To Go: $274,000 
If you would like to contribute to this proven and worthwhile cause, please call Nancy at 206-783-9264 / 800-782-9264, or email her. If you would like to apply to live at either HH4W or HH4M: Download an Application to live at one of the Hofmann Houses  | NAMI Greater Seattle
is a United Way Agency | | NAMI Greater Seattle is a founding member of the Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness |  |
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