Highlights from DonorConnect: Opening Doors to Housing Stability
At our latest DonorConnect: Opening Doors to Housing Stability, we explored how permanent housing, essential services and innovative community collaboration are creating new possibilities for neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability. We know that a safe and stable home is foundational to the well-being of individuals, families and our entire community. We also know that addressing housing challenges requires all of us working together.
We appreciate our panelists for sharing their expertise, perspectives and commitment to building a community where everyone has a place to call home and belong. Panelists included:
A clear message emerged: people do not willingly choose to be unhoused. They want to have the relationships, resources and sense of belonging that builds community, but that stability doesn’t come without access to a home.
Insights from Panelists
Understanding Current Housing Needs
There were two types of housing solutions discussed:
- Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) - a defined program type by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides permanent housing with intensive supportive services, intended to best serve those who have the highest barriers to housing stability and self-sufficiency, such as individuals who are chronically homeless.
- Permanent Housing with Supports - provides program participants with permanent housing as well as access to flexible services, connections and resources to help individuals with less intensive needs stay housed.
PSH and Permanent Housing with Supports are both needed to fill the housing barriers in our community; an estimated 523 individual PSH units and 17 family units are still needed. Two resources that can help you better understand the state of housing in our region is the Polk County Gap Analysis and the The Blueprint to Address Homelessness. Both resources were recommended by the panelists, and the Community Foundation is proud to have supported the efforts to bring this information to the forefront.
Building Community, Creating Stability
Access to housing is an important first step, but lasting stability is the ultimate goal. As our panelists emphasized, success can’t simply be measured by who gets a key to a home, but by who still has that key years later. Achieving that stability takes time, ongoing services and a strong sense of community.
Community is what panelist Emily Osweiler described as the “secret sauce” to helping someone remain stable after moving into permanent housing. That philosophy is taking shape through Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing's two new campuses in West Des Moines and Urbandale, which will transform former hotels into nearly 200 permanent homes. With wraparound services available on-site and spaces designed to foster meaningful relationships, these developments will create opportunities for residents to experience a sense of community, belonging and accountability that will help them thrive.
That same emphasis on community is at the heart of Joppa's Village. Panelist Joe Stevens shared how the project will bring together permanent, affordable homes in close proximity to supportive services, creating an environment where residents can have front porch conversations, look out for one another and discover a sense of belonging.
Collaboration among nonprofit organizations is equally important. Panelist Annie Uetz shared how working with Community Support Advocates (CSA) helped stabilize three critical HUD programs in Polk County. With CSA providing case management and supportive services and Polk County Behavioral Health & Disability Services managing administrative and housing responsibilities, these programs can continue serving the individuals who need them.
Moving Forward
Creating a community where everyone has a place to call home takes all of us. Our panelists encouraged attendees to be advocates for housing solutions, welcome new possibilities in their own communities and recognize that greater housing stability benefits everyone. Whether through lending your voice, volunteering your time or giving to organizations doing this important work, we each have a role to play.
Because when we come together to create opportunities for greater stability and belonging, we're building a stronger community for all. We're simply better together.
Amplify Impact with the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation believes in the power of connection to drive change. Through GIVEdsm, you can explore opportunities to support organizations working to make sure everyone in our community has a home. Together, we can help more of our neighbors find and remain in a place they can call home. Start giving today at GIVEdsm.org.
DonorConnect is part of a free conversation series designed to bring our community together to learn about and discuss our region's most pressing issues and promising opportunities. Look for future events by visiting DesMoinesFoundation.org/Events.