Poulsbo’s Nelson House now a sober residence for men

Poulsbo, in partnership with Gambit Recovery, recently opened a sober living residence for men at the historic Nelson House on 3rd Avenue, offering those suffering from addiction an environment with peer support and assistance with obtaining treatment.

The idea was spearheaded by the city Housing, Health and Human Services director Kim Hendrickson, who also helped the city open its new Recovery Resource Center. There is a close correlation between the RRC and the recovery residence as Hendrickson said the RRC refers people to the home who are ready for structured, sober living and residents of the home use the center for support groups, peer support and treatment services.

“Structured, supportive housing is essential for people new in recovery, and what little recovery housing the county has is mostly located in Central and South” Kitsap, Hendrickson said. “We often hear from providers that they have no appropriate place to send people after detox or inpatient treatment programs, and many people come into the (RRC) looking for recovery housing.”

As for being for men only, Gambit Recovery CEO Tom Fay said the intention is to open multiple recovery homes for both men and women throughout Kitsap County and the state. “The decision to open a men’s house as our first house in Poulsbo was solely based on need,” he said.

There are two residents living in the house. Both are sober and active in a 12-step program. One has started working at Watson Furniture and the other is waiting to receive pertinent credentials, Fay said. Another resident was expected to move in, and Gambit is conducting tours for potential residents.

The house can fit six residents as it offers three shared bedrooms that have two beds each. There are two bathrooms and a separate bedroom for the house manager, Hendrickson said. A house manager is a person with over a year of sobriety who has attended training and is CPR-certified and Narcan-trained.

“At Gambit Recovery we believe that single rooms promote isolation,” Fay said. “I have been operating sober living homes for almost fourteen years and have seen more success with shared rooms. Though initially, some think that having another person in the room with them would be uncomfortable or cramped they quickly realize that our homes/rooms are spacious, and having that extra support, accountability and new bond with their roommate is a motivation rather than a nuisance.”

Residents need to be drug- and alcohol-free, willing to maintain sobriety and be periodically tested, per Hendrickson. She said referrals from the RRC and other city programs are prioritized but are also welcomed from anywhere.

For rent, residents pay $125 a week, which covers housing, drug testing, breathalyzing, house amenities, resources and events, Fay said. Rent paid goes to cover housing expenses and operations. Residents are also required to provide caretaking on the property and are expected to get a job within a week of moving in. Hendrickson said job requirements are waived for residents undergoing intensive treatment programs.

The city is working with Gambit to create local training opportunities in manufacturing and other trades, such as Watson, to ensure access to well-paying, skilled positions.

“We strive to have all our participants understand that sobriety is just the foundation to a better life,” Fay said. “On top of that foundation, we want them all to be self-sufficient and bettering themselves to then better the lives around them.”

Gambit suggests a 90-day commitment for residents. Then they receive a certificate of completion but are not required to move. Fay said most residents stay an average of six to nine months.

This is Gambit’s first recovery home in Washington state as it does most of its work in Arizona, California and Missouri. Fay talked about how impressed he was with the city’s approach to the homes compared to other municipalities he’s dealt with.

“After meeting with (Hendrickson) and Mayor (Becky) Erickson many times I was taken back on how open they were to the idea, how educated they were on the need and motivated by their vision on what a better recovery community would look like in Kitsap County,” he said. “It was refreshing to witness and a huge reason why I committed to bringing the Gambit Recovery model to Poulsbo.”

As for more recovery residences, Hendrickson said it is in the plans as the city has received a grant from the Department of Commerce for more homes in the area. She said Poulsbo will work with Bainbridge Island and the county to approach it from an “intergovernmental perspective.”