Sitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless Coalition

Sitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless CoalitionSitka Homeless Coalition
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Housing First

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

The project will follow Housing First principles, including:

  • Residents are moved into shelter without the pre-condition of receiving treatment;
  • House units will be distributed on a 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 on-site;
  • Tenancy is not dependent on participation in services;
  • Once housed, a harm reduction approach to substance abuse is taken rather than an abstinence-based requirement; and
  • 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.

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sheltersitka.org, from Sitka Homeless Coalition

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