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VISN 11 Veteran Summits - A Path to Housing

The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 11 in collaboration with CSH completed four 305_MI 25 Cities Panel_14successful regional homeless veteran summits in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. The summits are designed to develop multi-agency strategies to end veteran homelessness in the catchment area. Gap Analysis were reviewed along with operational plans to address barriers and design innovative solutions to promote the identification, assessment, and care of the homeless veteran population.

305_VISN 11_Phil_14Phil Thomas, VISN 11 Homeless Network Coordinator for the Department of Veteran Affairs, shared "These summits have proven to be an invaluable forum to inform the veteran and homeless service provider community about the VA’s plans and to receive and integrate feedback toward the goal of ending veteran homelessness by the end of 2015."

Geographically based groups met in the afternoon portion of these Summits to plan for a 100 day challenge. This involved group work around strengthening or developing strategies to rapidly rehouse Veteran households who are experiencing homelessness.

CSH commends the VA for so strategically working to bring Veteran homelessness to functional zero.

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Supportive Housing Opens in Southern IL

The Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless opened an eight unit supportive housing development in Herrin, IL on June 26, 2014 called the Phoenix Apartments. This is the first rural supportive housing developments in Illinois to target people leaving correctional institutions. The development will also target Veterans. Located five hours South of Chicago, the City of Herrin has a population of about 13,000.

This $1.8 million dollar project was financed primarily by the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The development also received support from the Federal Home Loan Bank, obtained through the Bank of Marion, and from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

305_Sharron Hess_14Sharron Hess, Executive Director of the Southern IL Coalition for the Homeless and pictured to the left at the grand opening, said that their has been great demand for these units. Onsite services will include case management, counseling, and job training.

CSH provided a $50,000 non-interest bearing Pre-development Initiation Loan, a grant to support this effort, and technical assistance for the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless as they worked to build community support, access financing, and develop the Phoenix Apartments.

Click here to read local coverage. Photo credit to Adam Testa with The Southern.

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Indiana Supportive Housing Institute Finale

The 2014 Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute Finale was held in Indianapolis on June 5, and included a presentation by each participating team representing the communities of Gary, Marion, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute. This Institute, including over 80 hours of training for development teams over the course of six months, was sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)and facilitated by CSH.

305_Institute Audience_14Throughout this training series, CSH staff provided technical assistance to teams in the areas of selecting tenants, planning services, developing and operating, employing housing first and harm reduction approaches, and creating project budgets. Three teams will submit applications for tax credits in the housing first round this June and IHCDA has released a project based voucher RFP due in July for teams who have graduated from the Institute.

Rodney Stockment from the IHCDA Research and Development department, and Lori Phillips-Steele, CSH Indiana Program Directors welcomed funders, government partners, supportive housing champions, and team members to this program. A presentation was offered by Danielle Sorden with Shalom Community Center, sharing the vision behind and outcomes from Crawford Homes and Apartments in Bloomington, IN. This supportive housing development houses individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness. Please click here to view the presentation.

305_Indianapolis Team_14The team representing Indianapolis, composed of BWI Development & Management, Midtown Mental Health Partners, and Goodwill Industries, presented their vision of integrated housing. This development, Overlook At The Fairgrounds, will have 49 units with 17 supportive housing units, 30 affordable units, and 2 market rate units. Supportive housing units will be for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and have a mental illness or other chronic health condition.

305_Marion Team_14Located adjacent to the Marion VA medical campus, Chambers Park Apartments will house Veterans who are experiencing homelessness and have a disability. The development team includes Building Blocks Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Volunteers of America of Indiana, Medallion Management, Inc., Veterans Administration of Northern Indiana Health Care System, and Milner and Caringella, Inc., Martin-Riley Architects, Keller Development, Inc. and Kreig DeVault, LLP. Chambers Park Apartments will have 50 one-bedroom units, community space for recreation, training, and group meetings, and generous outdoor space for recreation, picnics, and gatherings.

Terre Haute Team_1Liberty Village, a proposed 30 unit supportive housing development in Terre Haute, will serve frequent users of emergency services and Veterans. The development team includes Mental Health America of Vigo County, Hamilton Center, Inc, TWG Development, LLC, and Indiana State University. This development will be for both individuals and families, with a breakdown of 20 one bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 2 two-bedroom units. Liberty Village will feature biometric security, on-site laundry, free tenant enrichment programs, outdoor and indoor recreational areas, community areas, a large food pantry and storage areas.

305_Gary Team_14The team representing Gary is led by Sojourner Truth House (STH), a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment. STH plans to provide 50-60 units of permanent supportive housing for families and individuals with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. This development will follow the housing first philosophy including offering voluntary services, creative engagement, and eviction prevention, all with a harm reduction approach.

Thank you to our funders!

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Columbus Place Groundbreaking in Xenia, Ohio

CSH congratulates Housing Solutions of Greene County for reaching a major milestone this past Spring – the groundbreaking of Columbus Place!  Columbus Place will be a six unit permanent supportive housing project in Xenia, Ohio.  Xenia is a town of under 26,000 residents in a west-central Ohio county.

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We are especially proud that Rhonda Baer, as pictured  above speaking at the groundbreaking, and her Board and funders continued to persevere with the project despite major roadblocks and barriers over the last six years!  Bravo Rhonda and the team. Photo credit to Ohio MHAS Public Affairs.

CSH provided this development team with two capacity grants, totaling $28,000, a pre-development initiation loan for $50,000, along with technical assistance throughout this process.

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Funder’s Board at Columbus Place Groundbreaking

From left to right: David Brainin, development consultant, Rhonda Baer, and Ted Jones, retired CSH Senior Program Manager, all worked closely together to make the project happen.

Click here to read local coverage of this event.

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CSH Training on Quality Supportive Housing in Ohio

Twelve teams from across the state of Ohio are actively participating in the second Institute on Quality in Supportive Housing, held in Columbus. Teams are learning about CSH’s Dimensions of Quality Supportive Housing while developing a Quality Improvement Plan for their portfolios or specific projects.  Teams were provided four CSH required outcome measures and they are developing two custom ones pertinent to their own portfolios or specific project.

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We are all having fun and learning a great deal from each other.  It is great to see the commitment to improving and maintaining quality in supportive housing in Ohio. Please click here to visit our CSH page on the Dimensions of Quality to learn more. 

A big thank you to our Institute sponsors!

Quality Funders
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$100 Million Dollar Bonding Bill Approved in Minnesota

Minnesota’s Governor Mark Dayton signed into law an unprecedented $100 million dollar bonding bill for housing on May 16th.  The $100 million dollars is for the preservation of public housing and construction of new affordable and supportive housing across the state.  This money will affect over 5,000 units of housing.

“The MN State legislature really stepped up to the plate this year”, said George Stone – CSH Director in MN. “The Governor had placed $50 million in his 2014 capital budget to address statewide housing needs. By doubling-down we are ensuring that fewer people will have to experience homelessness in MN, and fewer scarce public resources and human potential need be wasted”.

CSH worked as a part of Homes for All, a group of agencies from across Minnesota advocating for housing at the capital, to make the $100 million dollars a reality. Homes for All launched last year with a diverse coalition of 100 organizations. As part of this campaign, George Stone testified before the Minnesota House during Homeless Day on the Hill. CSH also helped to facilitate a Greater Minnesota supportive housing tenant to testify before the Minnesota Senate regarding why supportive housing has been a crucial step in helping her and her family move forward.

Click here to read more about how this funding will leverage private investments, increasing the supply of supportive housing for the most vulnerable people in MN, and opportunities to preserve and rehabilitate current affordable housing.

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CSH at the Building MI Communities Conference

CSH was proud to serve as a sponsor, exhibitor, session facilitator and session leader for the Building Michigan Communities Conference.

150_MI Hand_14CSH Director Lisa Chapman facilitated a plenary panel on the topic of ‘Exploring Issues of Homelessness in a Viral Video World’. Panelists included Brian McGrain from CEDAM, Eric Hufnagel from MI Coalition Against Homelessness and Michael Carter, a formerly homeless Veteran who works as a service coordinator at Silver Star supportive housing apartments in Battle Creek. This began with a video clip of Ted Williams, a former radio host who had fallen on difficult times. This was followed by a viral video of Jim Wolf, a gentleman in Grand Rapids who was given a haircut, shave, and new suit in a time lapse video showing his makeover.

Lisa Chapman also moderated the Social Impact Bonds session, led by Stephanie Mercier, CSH Government Affairs and Innovation Senior Program Manager, along with Anne White, a Harvard Government Innovation Fellow. This session focused on a method of providing funding for social issues including the government, service providers, and the private sector. Please click here for the two-page handout summarizing social impact bonds and supportive housing, and click here to be brought to our website to view additional information on this topic.

236_qualityheader_July13CSH Michigan staff John Peterson and Meghan Takashima delivered a session on the Dimensions of Quality Supportive Housing.  CSH's Dimensions of Quality set the standard for development and operation of supportive housing throughout the country. They clearly articulate what makes quality supportive housing and strengthen and sustain the supportive housing industry by driving better outcomes for tenants, especially those with multiple barriers to housing stability.

Liz Reyes, Senior Lending Officer for the national central region attended the conference and manned the booth as she networked with developers and sponsors of supportive housing. Click here to learn more about the CSH Community Investment team and current loan products.

CSH also gave out the Julie Sandorf award to a deserving tenant of supportive housing, Ms. Barb Taylor. Ms. Taylor serves as a board member for the Harbor Springs Friendship Center, is part of the Village of Hillside Residents' Council, and drives other tenants to medical appointments to help ensure that her neighbors have access to healthcare. Click here to read more about this award worthy tenant.

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Veteran Supportive Housing Opens in Kokomo, Indiana

On May 22, the Family Service Association (FSA) held the grand opening of Jackson Street Commons, a 27 unit Veteran supportive housing development near downtown Kokomo, IN. Mayor Goodnight expressed in his remarks that "This project is so good for our community in so many ways. I really do feel that it brought our community together and it infused millions of dollars into this neighborhood while creating a place for Veterans to call home."

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FSA Executive Director Judy Dennis, in her comments at the opening asked, “The question is not why they ended up homeless, it’s how did we as a society let this happen?” She went on to describe how Jackson Street Commons will address Veteran homelessness by offering 27 units of supportive housing to those who have served our country and need both affordable housing and accessible supportive services in order to be housed and remain housed.

The development team graduated from CSH's Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute in 2011 and received a pre-development initiation loan from CSH. The service team includes FSA,  the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, and Community Howard Regional Health.

Denise Deitzen, Medical Center Director of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, commented while touring the building that this has been a wonderful opportunity to partner with a community to end Veteran homelessness. This site targets Veterans who have experienced chronic homelessness and those with the greatest barriers.

Pete, a 53 year-old Veteran who has experienced homelessness for three and a half years, attended this opening in anticipation of moving into his own apartment the following week. "All of my adult life, until I became homeless, I used to be somebody," he stated. "I'd like to be somebody again one day and think that this place is going to give me the chance." Pete went on to share that once he gets settled, he would like to find a way to give back to the community.

305_JSC Lobby_14This development was financed with a HOME grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, and gap financing came from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, City of Kokomo, Howard County, community donations, and the VFW Post 1152.

Every room is furnished and comes stocked with kitchen and bathroom necessities including pots pans, plates, silverware, towels, hygiene items, etc. Also, a framed saying in each room honors Veterans with the following quote:

"A Veteran is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for any amount, up to and including their life."

Click here to read the local press about this grand opening.

*Photo credit to Tim Bath, Kokomo Tribune

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Supportive Housing for Veterans Breaks Ground in Muncie, IN

Mayor Dennis Tyler welcomed the community to the Walnut Commons ground breaking ceremony on May 29th, and read a proclamation stating at the City of Muncie is committed to ending homelessness and sees permanent supportive housing as one of the most critical elements to a comprehensive strategy. Click here to read the full proclamation.

3D model(master)REND2-RevSKY18 (Custom)This 44 unit supportive housing development will house Veterans who are experiencing homelessness and those who are facing chronic homelessness. Daveri Development Group will develop, own and operate the building, Meridian Health Services will provide supportive services, and linkages will be made to the VA on behalf of those with military services. The development team participated in the Indiana Permanent Supportive Housing Institute that is sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and facilitated by CSH, and the project was awarded a CSH pre-development loan.

Hank Milius, President and CEO of Meridian Health Services, spoke about Meridian's commitment to providing quality primary and behavioral healthcare to tenants. Gerald Cyranowski and Susan Buckingham also spoke about Meridian's work to provide support for the most vulnerable members of the community.

305_crowd_14The development will feature a state-of-the-art energy efficient three-story building with on-site office and clinic space for supportive services and property management, as well as a community room, computer areas, laundry facility, bike storage and outdoor patio.

Walnut Commons is primarily funded through IHCDA through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. IHCDA Executive Director Jake Sipe spoke about the placement of this development into a revitalization neighborhood, and how important it is that tenants will have access to nearby amenities. The development also benefited from support from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, with operational support from the Indiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.

305_team_14Click here to read an article published in The Star Press on May 28th, 2014 about Walnut Commons.

On the left, local service providers from Bridges Community Services and Meridian Health Services pose while celebrating this much needed supportive housing development.

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Supportive Housing Academy Focuses on Quality

CSH held the 2nd annual Supportive Housing Academy in Illinois from May 12 - 16th. Over 50 attendees representing four states participated in this week long training seminar, focused on both leasing and developing quality supportive housing. Topics ranged from providing services to coordinating key partners to financing supportive housing. Guest speakers and panelists were brought in to budgeting, IL consent decrees, and  tenant leadership.

Victor Ponce with Heartland Health Outreach was moved by the tenant leadership panel 302_SHA_14including two supportive housing tenants, Johnna Lowe from the Supportive Housing Provider Association, and facilitated by Christine Haley with CSH. He commented that "the immense and crucial value of tenant involvement in is an absolute essential to having good supportive housing. I plan to eventually rally tenants to create a Tenant Council/Board."

On May 14th, the group spent the afternoon touring supportive housing, visiting Grove Apartments in Oak Park, developed by Interfaith Housing Development Corporation;  New Moms Transformation Center Housing (TCH) on Chicago's West side; and Renaissance Social Services, Inc. in Wicker Park.  

Kim Wynette of the New Foundation Center is new to her position an came to this training to learn content and skills that she will be able to immediately apply to her work. “The Academy impacted me with a deeper understanding of the many layers of Supportive Housing," Kim reported after the conclusion of this action packed week.

"My group is very excited about further exploring the idea of putting tenant-centric PSH in place," Developer Chandler Anderson from Trio Consulting commented. "I especially enjoyed the point by point presentation of the typical process and the wide ranging factors that need careful consideration. Additionally, to see the approach operating in the real world during our tour was very reassuring."

302_SHA 1_14When asked why CSH is committed to the Academy, CSH Illinois Director Betsy Benito offered, "We want to ensure there is a pipeline of supportive housing to meet the deep needs of communities across Illinois; break down the myths of creating and operating supportive housing – in a variety of integrated models; and demonstrate the success both on the financial and social bottom line. We need supportive housing more than ever to respond to those living in streets and shelter and inappropriately housed in institutions."

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