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When a new parent is struggling with substance use disorder, stable housing can make all the difference in creating stability and supporting recovery. But finding and keeping housing isn’t always as simple as paying a security deposit or a month’s rent. 

Between July and February 2026, WithinReach partnered with Homeward House, a Snohomish County collaborative that supports parents involved with child welfare who have young children, as well as expectant parents facing substance use disorder, poverty and related challenges. Homeward House specializes in connecting families to housing resources and providing wraparound support and has the infrastructure to safely distribute flexible funds to families. 

Together, we piloted a Housing Stability Support Fund to learn whether flexible funding—combined with expert housing navigation—could help families secure stable housing and prevent homelessness.  

Over seven months, $40,000 in pilot funding was distributed to families for rental assistance, move-in costs, hotel stays, and other housing-related needs. The pilot also provided valuable insights that will help shape future housing support efforts. 

Here are five of our biggest takeaways.

1. Flexible funding works—but only when paired with housing expertise.

Providing financial assistance was important, but it wasn’t the only reason the pilot succeeded. 

The staff of Homeward House brought deep knowledge of the local housing system. Their team understood Coordinated Entry, a standardized process used across Washington to connect people experiencing homelessness with housing and services, as well as housing vouchers, sober living options, landlord relationships and the many barriers families face when trying to secure housing. That expertise helped families find solutions that would last—not just temporary fixes.  

Takeaway: Flexible dollars have the greatest impact when paired with experienced housing navigators who know how to help families access the right resources.

2. Every family’s path to housing looks different.

One of the biggest lessons from the pilot was that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Some families needed help paying rent to avoid eviction. Others needed assistance with move-in costs or temporary hotel stays while permanent housing was secured. The flexibility of the fund allowed support to be tailored to each family’s unique circumstances. 

Takeaway: Programs work best when they respond to families’ individual needs instead of relying on a single solution.

3. Relationships matter just as much as resources.

Housing support is much more than writing a check. 

Families also benefited from housing navigation, peer support, mentoring, baby supplies, and help with navigating applications and community resources. For many parents, having someone who believed in them and walked alongside them was just as valuable as the financial assistance itself. 

Takeaway: Lasting stability comes from combining practical support with trusted relationships.

4. Strong partnerships create stronger outcomes.

WithinReach connected families through our flagship program, Help Me Grow Washington, which offers a full spectrum of supports to families across Washington state with young children. Through Help Me Grow Washington, families received ongoing, one-on-one support as they navigated their individual needs. Homeward House contributed housing expertise, local relationships and the infrastructure to safely administer flexible funds. Together, we were able to offer a level of support that neither organization could have provided alone. 

Takeaway: Collaboration doesn’t just expand capacity—it improves outcomes for families. 

5. Pilots are meant to teach us.

Not every part of the pilot worked perfectly—and that’s exactly why pilots matter. 

Along the way, we identified opportunities to improve eligibility guidelines, strengthen communication between partners, streamline referrals, and better support families who have housing needs but little or no income. Those lessons will help inform future efforts as we explore opportunities to expand this model. 

Takeaway: Learning from challenges is just as important as celebrating successes. 

Looking Ahead 

As we look ahead, we’ll continue building on these lessons, strengthening partnerships, and exploring ways to expand access to housing stability supports for families across Washington. 

We’re grateful to our partners at Homeward House for their collaboration and to the families who trusted us to walk alongside them during such an important time. 

Want to learn more? Read the full Perinatal SUD Housing Stability Support Fund Evaluation Report to explore the pilot’s findings, recommendations, and stories in greater detail.