3444 Martin Way
Sprung Structure — 3444 Martin Way
FAQs
1. Who currently owns the property at 3444?
Interfaith Works purchased the property in early November, 2020 largely due to the CARES ACT funding set aside for COVID-19 response. Founded in 1974, Interfaith Works is an Olympia-based non-profit that exists to promote interfaith understanding and serve the community through charitable, social, and educational endeavors. We are a coalition of 32 faith and spiritual communities within Thurston County. Learn more at Interfaith Works.
The mission of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is to advance the social inclusion and empowerment of our neighbors experiencing homelessness through innovative practices of sheltering, mental health, and emergency basic needs coordination. Interfaith Works is dedicated to providing emergency services and support to those in need, not as charity but as an act of social justice. The work of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is rooted in empowerment, social inclusion, and community education to end the unnecessary stigmatization of the most vulnerable. Learn more at IW Shelter.
The mission of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is to advance the social inclusion and empowerment of our neighbors experiencing homelessness through innovative practices of sheltering, mental health, and emergency basic needs coordination. Interfaith Works is dedicated to providing emergency services and support to those in need, not as charity but as an act of social justice. The work of the Interfaith Works Emergency Shelter is rooted in empowerment, social inclusion, and community education to end the unnecessary stigmatization of the most vulnerable. Learn more at IW Shelter.
2. What are you planning to do with the property?
We will take down the existing building and construct a prefabricated building of a similar size that for the next year will house a 38 bed, 24/7 shelter for vulnerable elders who are experiencing homelessness.
This building will be used as a 24/7 shelter for the same 38 people each night for the next year, and then after that it will be used as a day time only resource center to connect people with hygiene services, and connection to vital social services like medical and mental health care.
This building will be used as a 24/7 shelter for the same 38 people each night for the next year, and then after that it will be used as a day time only resource center to connect people with hygiene services, and connection to vital social services like medical and mental health care.
3. What will happen to the existing building (Foam and Fabric Outlet)?
While we tried to see if it could be salvaged, the amount of work it would take to bring it up to code for the intended use proved to be cost prohibitive. The building will be safely demolished, and the site will be set up for construction of the fabricated building called a Sprung Structure.
4. What is a Sprung Structure and what will the building look like when it’s done?
Sprung's bright, clear-span interiors provide permanent or temporary shelter structures with a natural and bright living environment, while an energy-efficient insulation package means a comfortable interior and lower overall operating costs.
Sprung’s patented membrane structures are the result of decades of research and development. Each Sprung structure features extruded aluminum arches that are integrally connected to an all-weather outer performance architectural membrane. This specialized membrane is certified as flame-retardant. Sprung structures are engineered to withstand high wind loads and to shed snow. They are expandable and relocatable. They can be fitted with daylight panels, stylish windows and doors, and glazing walls (glass curtain walls) to allow more natural light to penetrate the structure. With over a century of experience, Sprung delivers the most reliable, versatile and technically advanced structures available in the world.
Sprung’s patented membrane structures are the result of decades of research and development. Each Sprung structure features extruded aluminum arches that are integrally connected to an all-weather outer performance architectural membrane. This specialized membrane is certified as flame-retardant. Sprung structures are engineered to withstand high wind loads and to shed snow. They are expandable and relocatable. They can be fitted with daylight panels, stylish windows and doors, and glazing walls (glass curtain walls) to allow more natural light to penetrate the structure. With over a century of experience, Sprung delivers the most reliable, versatile and technically advanced structures available in the world.
5. How will the site be set up?
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6. Who will this shelter serve?
- At maximum capacity, this shelter will serve 38 vulnerable adults over the age of 50. The shelter guests residing at the Martin Way site are considered the most at-risk of complications from contracting COVID-19 – primarily over 60, chronically homeless, and living with complex health challenges. Currently, 76% of the guests who will be staying at the Martin Way site are over the age of 55, 100% identify as having a disability, and 100% are also unique, compassionate individuals who have found refuge and calm in the shelter amidst a changing social environment.
- Within our local system, homeless families with children, persons under age 24, and certain survivors of sexual and domestic violence are served by other sheltering agencies.
- We have trained, experienced staff and volunteers who consider safety a top priority and will be able to appropriately assess a person’s risk during intake.
- In our 23 years of experience with shelter management for all genders, we have not found universal criminal checks to be a necessary step. Our shelter will be providing beds for the most vulnerable members of the homeless community who are not generally violent offenders.
- We reserve the right to run a criminal background check at any time on any guest staying at the shelter. In the event that we feel the need to run a check, our staff has instant access to the Washington State Patrol WATCH database, as well as the WA State Sex offender Registry.
- In addition we work closely with local law enforcement and coordinate in the event that there is a person who poses a known risk to safety for any reason.
7. What are the hours of operation?
Hours of operation are 24/7. We have found over the years that stability and impact on neighbors of ours is greatly limited when we provide round the clock care for our guests. In other locations there is regularly a line up during openening and closign times which can cause a concentration of people trying to access our services all at once. With 24 hour care we do not have this issue. It's better for our guests, and for our neighbors when our programs are open all the time.
8. Who will live in the shelter? How will people be placed there?
We currently operate two shelters for single adults, couples without dependent children, and their pets. We refer to our beds as “assigned beds.” This means that the bed belongs to a specific person and is theirs as long as they need it. They leave their personal belongings at the shelter and they have the same spot each night. There will be no drop in services while this building is operating as a 24/7 shelter.
There will be no car camping, RV parking, or temporary housing like tiny homes or tents around the building.
There will be no car camping, RV parking, or temporary housing like tiny homes or tents around the building.
9. Are there “rules” for residents and how will they be enforced?
10. What additional services are provided at the shelter?
Supportive Services Provided:
- Targeted Peer Support based case management through our Navigation Team Program.
- Coordination of clinical support services including visiting clinical mental health workers (Behavioral Health Resources PACT Team, Providence Behavioral Health Clinical Case Management Team, etc.)
- Coordination of transportation to primary and specialty care appointments.
- Provide Two meals per day brought in from volunteers or food organizations (no on site cooking).
- Provide access to linens, towels, blankets, clothing, hygiene supplies, basic over the counter first aid and medicine supplies.
- Coordination of guests personal laundry.
- On site, daily shower coordination.
11. Is anyone supervising the site?
Staff and Volunteer Structure:
We will have a minimum of 3 professional, trained staff on site at all times during the day, and 2 overnight. Shelter staff are supported by an on-site Manager either on-site, or on-call 24/7. Volunteers provide us with meals, (volunteer information found here) but do not currently come inside due to COVID-19 restrictions. Staff shifts are as follows:
We will have a minimum of 3 professional, trained staff on site at all times during the day, and 2 overnight. Shelter staff are supported by an on-site Manager either on-site, or on-call 24/7. Volunteers provide us with meals, (volunteer information found here) but do not currently come inside due to COVID-19 restrictions. Staff shifts are as follows:
- 7am - 3:30pm — 3 staff, daily
- 10am - 4pm — 1 staff cleaning shift, daily
- 3pm - 11:30pm — 3 staff, daily
- 11am - 7:30am — 2 staff, overnight shift
- On site Managerial presence — Approx. 9am-4pm daily
- On call Managerial presence — 24/7
12. Will this development attract more unsheltered people to the area?
While there will be more people utilizing the property for shelter, we do not expect to see an influx. This area already has a large number of people who are unsheltered and unsupported living rough in and around the wooded areas, businesses and residences. What we find at all our locations is that with 24/7 staffing and presence of a well managed facility, the neighborhood has more support and better outcomes in dealing with these already existing challenging issues when we are present.
The annual Thurston County Homeless Census continually indicates that the majority of homeless people are from this area, and that they, like housed people, tend to migrate towards urban hubs. Olympia is the urban hub of Thurston County and the majority of our unsheltered homeless are already from the county. There is no reason why we would expect this to change. With that said, Thurston County’s population is on the rise, and is expected to increase 20% by 2040. This includes people of all income levels and demographics.
The annual Thurston County Homeless Census continually indicates that the majority of homeless people are from this area, and that they, like housed people, tend to migrate towards urban hubs. Olympia is the urban hub of Thurston County and the majority of our unsheltered homeless are already from the county. There is no reason why we would expect this to change. With that said, Thurston County’s population is on the rise, and is expected to increase 20% by 2040. This includes people of all income levels and demographics.
13. Will this development impact property values in the area?
There is no evidence that property values diminish at all as a result of supportive housing or supportive 24/7 shelter development. There is both statistical and anecdotal evidence that property values actually increase. A 2008 study quantifying the impact of development on neighborhoods shows surrounding property values substantially increased in eight of nine neighborhoods surveyed. Common sense supports this notion since sponsors either turn blighted buildings into attractive new housing or build on abandoned empty lots that are frequently magnets for illegal activity. Furthermore, historically supportive housing has served as a catalyst for economic development. Because supportive housing either rehabilitates a decrepit building or builds on an empty lot, it improves a block’s look and feel. (Source)
Throughout Thurston County property values have been on the rise. This has been consistent in the neighborhood around the proposed site, even with unmanaged encampments and lower cost housing properties within the immediate vicinity.
Throughout Thurston County property values have been on the rise. This has been consistent in the neighborhood around the proposed site, even with unmanaged encampments and lower cost housing properties within the immediate vicinity.
14. How can the neighborhood stay informed and part of the process?
Interfaith Works and its partners are committed to a full public process and engaging with the neighborhood on an ongoing basis. When we purchased the property we reached out via email to all the neighboring businesses, and have been working with a few of the neighbors to give away the Fabric inventory that was left behind by the previous owner. If you live or work in the neighborhood and would like to connect with us to learn more, please fill out the form below and let us know because we really want to be sure any of your questions are answered.
Per the city’s Emergency Housing Facility application, Interfaith Works will work with the city to notify neighbors living within and owning property within 500 feet of the property about the proposed shelter within the required time frame. These neighbors will be invited to a Zoom meeting to ask questions and express their concerns. Interfaith Works will also work with the city to post public notice signs on the property.
“like” us on Facebook for ongoing updates about all of our programs.
Per the city’s Emergency Housing Facility application, Interfaith Works will work with the city to notify neighbors living within and owning property within 500 feet of the property about the proposed shelter within the required time frame. These neighbors will be invited to a Zoom meeting to ask questions and express their concerns. Interfaith Works will also work with the city to post public notice signs on the property.
“like” us on Facebook for ongoing updates about all of our programs.
15. Got a question you didn’t see here? Ask us!
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