CSH Initiatives and Products: Consulting

CSH is driving into new and exciting work in the area of system mapping. Stephanie Mercier and Mandy Champman-Semple from our Consulting and Training team were in Fort Collins, Colorado last week to help to redesign a process that combines data analysis with intensive community feedback to develop a visual representation of the existing homelessness response system. They helped identify opportunities to redesign the system to support of the goal of preventing and ending homelessness.

In the first community session on September 25, a diverse group of stakeholders participated in a simulation of their current community’s housing needs and explored possible system improvements. They used the knowledge gained through this simulation, coupled with CSH’s map of the existing system, to draft redesigned system maps. CSH used these maps and additional data to produce a set of recommendations for a system redesigned to focus on streamlining access to permanent housing.

These system redesign recommendations were presented to the community on October 16. CSH commends Fort Collins for undertaking this intensive process and their commitment to improving their response to the homeless population.

This June, CSH participated in the National American Indian Housing Council’s Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Liz Drapa and Jonathan Hunter attended the conference and highlighted our work under the American Indian Supportive Housing Initiative (AISHI). At the conference, Liz & Jonathan presented with partners from the Makah Tribe in Washington State and White Earth in Minnesota on supportive housing, and met with officials from the Alaska Mental Health Trust to discuss supportive housing efforts in Alaska.

Under AISHI, CSH partners with Tribal Nations and American Indian organizations to develop affordable housing linked to services to end homelessness. We blend tested supportive housing models with tribal culture and traditional service approaches to build programs that work in American Indian communities.

Working closely with tribal leaders, state and federal government representatives, and American Indian nonprofits and community members, we provide:

• Technical assistance tailored for Tribal Nations and American Indian nonprofit organizations.
• Training and capacity building to strengthen their ability to develop, manage and operate supportive housing.
• Expertise and resources to address development and operation challenges.
• Low-cost loans and grants to spur the development of new supportive housing projects.
• Advocacy and policy reform to address barriers to supportive housing and bring resources to tribes and American Indian organizations.

Read more about our consulting work