CIHA Homelessness Partners
Working together. Impacting lives.
As part of our plan to help address all affordable housing needs, CIHA decided to identify partners who were already experienced in delivering housing programs that addressed special needs—needs that required a strong focus and counseling effort. We are truly blessed with the gift of many compassionate and capable organizations that perform miracles one person or family at a time in our community. In a time and in a State where resources are never enough, it is important for all of us to make sure we are working together—enhancing each other's work rather than duplicating efforts and competing for funding. It was this strategy that led CIHA to the partners we highlight below. We are truly grateful for their hard work—more importantly, we celebrate their wonderful results.
Covenant House
CIHA provides a housing subsidy for graduates of Covenant House to assist with counseling, rent and security deposit.
- 350 Alaska Native / American Indian youth (AN/AI), ages 13-20, will begin a permanent housing plan, including reuniting with family, providing emergency shelter and documenting Native heritage.
- 100 youth, ages 17-20, will attend tenant education classes.
- 75 youth, ages 18-20, will receive assistance with location and application for permanent housing and experience landlord/tenant negotiations.
- All youth placed in housing will experience post-shelter housing success, including regular follow-up and housing crisis intervention.
The Catholic Social Services Brother Francis Shelter
In 2001, CIHA and Catholic Social Services partnered to build a new shelter. Today, CIHA owns the building and Catholic Social Services delivers the program—each organization doing what we do best. In addition, CIHA provides funding to provide counseling and case management to move homeless individuals to self-sufficiency.
- 230 AN/AI adults will receive case management, including access to community resources and seeking out and offering housing and employment assistance.
- 10 individuals will receive direct financial assistance for application fees, security deposits and/or first months rent with preference to those that qualify for CIHA's rental assistance voucher.
- 40 homeless AN/AI adults will receive an individual plan for moving into permanent housing based on their specific needs. Once the individual is housed, continued support, such as money management assistance and daily living skills instruction, will be provided.
- 1,000 AN/AI adults will receive 18,000 nights of emergency shelter. Information will be collected on individuals that have moved from a rural location or are aged 60 and over so that CIHA may assist them in finding appropriate housing.
Salvation Army McKinnell House
CIHA provides housing assistance for a family's temporary shelter and counseling needs. The housing assistance may then be applied as a family transitions to permanent housing.
- 120 sheltered families will receive assessment, goal setting advice, assistance with employment opportunities and support to ensure children are going to school regularly. Families will be connected with community resources and provided public assistance, attend housing orientation and receive education about money management, parenting, nutrition, self-esteem, community awareness and life skills.
- 80 families who have moved into permanent housing will receive off-site support.
- 30 homeless families will receive assistance with financial obligations such as first/last month’s rent, security and utilities deposits and similar obligations as they obtain permanent housing. Funds will be used to support consistent tracking of the services that homeless families who reside at McKinnell House seek including class and meeting attendance, meals provided, nights of shelter and clothing and materials distributed.
- Additionally, funds will provide 15,480 bed nights for 120 families, and 52 opportunities for onsite medical assessment and/or treatment.