Sitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless Coalition
  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Hítx'i Sáani Community
    • Resources and Programs
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • In the News
  • Get Involved
  • Contact
  • Hitx'i Saani RFP
  • More
    • Home
    • What We Do
      • Hítx'i Sáani Community
      • Resources and Programs
    • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Team
      • In the News
    • Get Involved
    • Contact
    • Hitx'i Saani RFP

  • Home
  • What We Do
    • Hítx'i Sáani Community
    • Resources and Programs
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • In the News
  • Get Involved
  • Contact
  • Hitx'i Saani RFP

Our Model: Housing First

Following Housing First principles, we strive to build a community for all Sitkans experiencing homelessness.

Housing First is a homeless assistance approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, thus ending their homelessness and serving as a platform from which they can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly, or attending to substance use issues.

                                —National Alliance to End Homelessness

Principles

We follow Housing First principles, including:

  • Clients receive services without the pre-condition of receiving treatment
  • Future Hítx'i Sáani units will be distributed on an equity basis, with priority housing given to those with the most demonstrated need (based on factors including disability status and length of time without housing)
  • Robust services and supports available in tandem with our programs through our partners via referrals
  • Participation in our programs is not dependent on participation in additional support services
  • Once housed, a harm reduction approach to substance abuse is taken rather than an abstinence-based requirement
  • All tenants will receive a lock and key to properly safeguard their belongings. Residents will have lease agreements and tenant protections.

Housing development analysis

The Anchorage-based firm Agnew::Beck Consulting published a report (see below) on how Housing First could be implemented in Sitka. As part of their research, they studied similar Housing First initiatives across the US, and conducted extensive interviews with local stakeholders, including the Baranof Island Housing Authority, the City of Sitka, the Salvation Army, Sitka Counseling + Prevention, and more. The team reviewed potential funding sources and programs, and developed preliminary estimates of costs to construct and operate the project.

Download PDF
  • Hítx'i Sáani Community
  • Resources and Programs
  • Get Involved
  • Contact

Sitka Homeless Coalition

Copyright © 2025 Shelter Sitka - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept