Jeff Slakey sits down at Shelton Veterans Village on North 13th with Executive Director Colleen Carmichael and Program Support Specialist Tamra Ingwaldson for a wide-ranging conversation about what's really happening inside this unique community of 30 veterans — and why the data says permanent supportive housing is one of the smartest investments a community can make.

In this episode:

• Who lives at Shelton Veterans Village, how residents are selected, and what 'permanent supportive housing' actually means

• Why 85% of homeless individuals in any area were born or raised there — and the data behind the misinformation

• How the village uses Saint Martin's University and Olympic College interns to provide behavioral health and nursing services

• The real cost of homelessness vs. housing someone — and why leaving people on the streets costs taxpayers twice as much

• A new dog training / behavioral support animal pilot program launching in 2024

• What expansion could look like — and what it would mean for Mason County's chronically homeless population

Shelton Veterans Village is located at N. 13th Street in Shelton, WA and serves disabled veterans experiencing chronic homelessness. The village operates as permanent supportive housing funded through HUD, with case management provided by Michael, Sondra, and supervisor Dave on site.

Want to learn more or schedule a tour? Contact through the village directly. Resources and data mentioned in this episode — including research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Colleen's LinkedIn data posts — are linked below.

National Alliance to End Homelessness- endhomelessness.org
Colleen's LinkedIn data posts
MASON COUNTY LOCAL HOMELESS HOUSING PLAN 2025-2030
Email for scheduling a village tour - info@nhcommunities.org

Focus on Shelton airs on KMAS Radio in Shelton, Washington. New episodes at kmas.com and wherever you get your podcasts.

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