A lesser-known area of Plymouth’s work, voucher programs are a key to Plymouth fulfilling its mission and getting people housed throughout King County.

With a sweeping origami-crane mural at Almquist Place or the lush, verdant terrace at Blake House, Plymouth Housing is known for eye-catching buildings that provide permanent supportive housing (PSH). In addition to rehabilitating historic sites, Plymouth creates new buildings, working in partnership with the community in the process. On the outside, these buildings contribute to the beauty and aesthetic of the neighborhood. On the inside, furnished studio apartments provide spaces for healing—often after years of sleeping outside. Residents receive services, and can see a nurse, doctor, or therapist without leaving the building.

Currently, these types of Plymouth buildings are home to 1,400 people across King County. But our impact extends beyond the buildings that we own and operate. Through voucher programs such as Scattered Sites or Shelter Plus Care, a person could live anywhere they want in King County—from a rental house in Greenwood to an apartment in Bellevue. The program essentially provides rental assistance for qualified participants. Participants receive supportive services like health care and counseling from partner organizations. Currently, more than 1,000 people are housed through these programs.

“This freedom to go wherever adds another level of agency,” said Kevin Holtz, director of vouchers. “It cultivates dignity.”

Kevin Holtz, Plymouth Housing’s director of vouchers.

While Holtz has been at Plymouth for two years, his history with these programs spans back to 2017. At that time, he was on the other side of the equation as a service provider, working with Plymouth to help his clients find housing. This longevity and experience have allowed him to see what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how to minimize barriers so that people can get the housing and support they need.

Today, Holtz manages a team of 11 who operate the voucher programs. With much of their direction coming directly from local government, voucher program staff can feel removed from the rest of Plymouth Housing, which is largely focused on rehabilitating or constructing new buildings to provide permanent supportive housing. And yet, being able to house people anywhere in King County is vital. People need the type of support that is right for them—whether that’s on-site recovery treatment in a Plymouth building or having the opportunity to be more independent through a voucher program. Voucher programs prioritize applicants who have been experiencing long-term homelessness and/or have a disability.

Regardless of the degree of need, people housed through Plymouth have all experienced homelessness—often for many years. These are human beings whom systems do not serve and the safety net has failed. Helping them to exit life on the streets means ensuring that they are recognized as individual human beings with unique stories, needs, and pathways in life.

Jon La France (left) manages Shelter Plus Care, one of Plymouth Housing’s voucher programs.

In its buildings, Plymouth supports older, single adults. But through voucher programs, applicants who are partnered, have children, or are part of a multigenerational family can get housed. The program is also permanent; people can use this rental assistance for as long as they want. Most participants receive rental assistance from a voucher program for at least a decade. Having a home is the first step to changing one’s life after homelessness.

“Anytime we can get a roof over someone’s head, that’s an added piece needed to reintegrate someone into society.”