Author: CSH communications

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) Point-In-Time Estimates of Homelessness released today, a record-breaking number of individuals grappled with homelessness on a single night, surpassing any previous counts since it began in 2007. Overall, homelessness surged across all population segments, but there was stark overrepresentation among people identifying as Black, Hispanic or Latin(o)(a)(x), and Asian or Asian American. Nearly a third (31%) were people experiencing long-term homelessness, also the highest number recorded since 2007.

This surge in homelessness across the nation is a sobering reality check, but it is no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. The increase in homelessness is an entirely predictable and direct consequence of widespread shortages in affordable housing, compounded by a fragmented and undercapitalized infrastructure for essential community support services and individual economic insecurity. It is a national emergency, and CSH calls on elected leaders at federal and local levels to elevate it as an urgent whole-of-government policy challenge we need to address.

Despite headwinds, many communities have made progress by investing in housing and services and preventing thousands of individuals and families from entering homelessness over the past year. Many have exceeded expectations in record time, moving people from homelessness to housing. Yet, increases in the Point-In-Time count glaringly spotlight how the inflow of people entering homelessness is greater than those finding homes. 

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river,” begins a quote commonly attributed to Desmond Tutu, the late South African Anglican bishop and social rights activist. “We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

As we look “upstream” to dissect the multifaceted challenges contributing to this crisis, it is imperative that communities —and their state and congressional policymakers— adopt comprehensive, long-term, proven solutions that address the root causes and create lasting impact. The solutions must also occur “upstream,” that is, to make every effort to prevent people from having no other option but to gather a few treasured belongings to carry with them as they face the harsh reality of homelessness.

Anticipating the Inevitable: The Predictable Outcome of Housing Unaffordability

Communities nationwide grapple with an acute shortage of affordable homes, exacerbated by a growing number of individuals and households spending an unsustainable proportion of their incomes on housing costs. This precarious situation places them at an elevated risk of homelessness, underscoring the urgency for aggressive, affordable housing development and preservation.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) projects that the nation is on pace to lose an additional “176,000 affordable units” by 2025 due to expiring “affordability restrictions,” which is a devasting number considering the already vast scarcity of affordable housing. The CSH National Needs Assessment found that the country needs 1.1 million affordable and supportive homes for people with extremely low incomes and complex barriers to housing. Other research demonstrates a shortfall of 7.3 million affordable homes for people paying greater than 30% of their limited income (in many cases 50% or more) on housing. The same CBPP article goes on to offer strategies for preserving and increasing affordable housing, including revitalizing rental assistance programs, directing resources to update aging LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credits) properties, and expanding LIHTC programs, among other actionable and achievable tactics that should, and can, have bipartisan support.

Some communities do their best to bolster affordable housing development, but zoning and permitting bureaucracies impede progress. CSH strongly advocates communities proactively accelerate affordable housing development to address critical shortages. This includes developing new housing, preserving existing affordable housing units, and reforming zoning laws.

Investing in Prevention and Support Services: A Proactive and Financially Responsible Approach

As much as supportive housing relies on safe, quality, and affordable housing, tenants must also have access to voluntary, flexible, and responsive community support services. Services aligned with housing can help people move into and sustain a home of their choice.

Despite ample evidence demonstrating both the cost and societal effectiveness of community support services in preventing or re-housing individuals experiencing homelessness, there remains a persistent underinvestment in these vital interventions. Public and private service systems remain siloed and fragmented. Service providers are limited by antiquated technology and insufficient resources, leading to underpaid staff and high employee attrition. These factors push people towards crisis systems and institutional care unnecessarily.  

This overreliance on policing, jails, and forced psychiatric hospitalizations proves to be not only ineffective but also financially burdensome.

CSH calls on states to streamline and integrate their systems to achieve more coordinated service delivery and foster a holistic and efficient response to the homelessness crisis, stemming the inflow of people into homelessness. Sustained investment in these services, paired with integrated and coordinated systems, yields better outcomes and saves public dollars in the long run.

Economic Security: The Link Between Low-Income and Housing Instability

One of the common misconceptions of people experiencing homelessness is that they do not want to work to pay for housing. Robust data show the opposite is true. The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) examined employment among people experiencing homelessness and cited a study that found just over half (53%) of people living in temporary shelters and 40% living without shelter worked full or part-time. Further, wages are not keeping up with housing and other costs affected by rising inflation. The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Out of Reach Report, showed that to afford a one-bedroom apartment required a national average Housing Wage of $24 per hour. This wage is far above any minimum wage standard.

The nation did experience what is possible with an infusion of robust financing and preventative strategies with COVID-era relief funding. We learned that by directing substantial resources to communities, they fared better. But as this funding concludes, benefits such as the Child Tax Credit and the CDC’s eviction moratorium have compromised critical prevention efforts. The fact remains that a growing number of people do not have adequate living wages, which makes it difficult for them to keep a roof over their heads.

Building on Success: Examples of Progress and the Path Forward

Despite these headwinds, communities like Houston, TX; Milwaukee, WI; Newark, NJ; and Santa Clara County, CA are making smart investments in housing and services to reduce reliance on emergency systems and tackle homelessness.

Some states are adopting innovative strategies such as Medicaid waivers and State Plan Amendments to help cover housing-related services that can prevent homelessness.

There are also examples of state legislatures and governors working collaboratively and across the aisle to find existing resources for boosting housing and services. Earlier this year, the Nevada legislature passed AB 310 with near-unanimous support, which Governor Joe Lombardo signed into law. AB 310 established the “Supportive Housing Development Fund” from existing state dollars to fund affordable housing development and services. Additionally, the legislation established funds to evaluate and measure the results.

Strong Public Support for Housing and Services Investments

The above examples of communities addressing homelessness inspire us, demonstrating that lasting solutions are within our reach with concerted efforts, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic investments. Whether preserving existing affordable units, expanding rent control measures, or fostering community-led initiatives, the path to housing stability requires collective action. And the public wants bold action.

Recent research revealed a strong public appetite transcending political leanings for ambitious policies that fuel resources for affordable housing and support programs as a solution to homelessness. In a nationally representative survey conducted in September 2023, Pew found overwhelming support for ten policy initiatives. Further, “affordability” was the number one reason respondents wanted more development followed by three-fourths of respondents citing reducing homelessness. The Bipartisan Policy Center published a study in June 2023 with similar findings. Their study also found that respondents wanted the federal government to make homelessness a “top priority” and for 2024 presidential candidates to present the country’s plans for tackling the emergency.

In confronting the surge in homelessness, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture, armed with the knowledge that the root causes are not insurmountable obstacles but challenges that demand bold, innovative solutions. It is time for the nation to address the homelessness emergency that so many people and communities have endured for far too long and start treating it with the urgency it demands.

The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, and Recovery Programs, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), and the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND), are excited to announce the first Baltimore City Supportive Housing Institute beginning on February 2024.

This is an exciting opportunity for supportive housing service providers, housing developers, and property/asset managers in Baltimore City to receive 6 months of practical training and individualized technical assistance on developing supportive housing. Additionally, each project team participating in the Institute will have access to up to $150,000 in grant funding to help support the successful initiation and development of high-quality supportive and deeply affordable housing in Baltimore City.

View Request for Applications Here

View Application Here

An INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR will be held on December 15, 2023 at 2pm ET for prospective respondents to this application.

Register Here: https://www.handhousing.org/2023-2024-training-capacity-building-series/#december

Please email –  Baltimore.SHI@csh.org to request a link to the recording. This session will provide more details on the Institute structure and application process. Applications will be available immediately following the informational session and will be due January 17, 2024. 

By Ann Oliva and Deborah De Santis

It is challenging to create supportive housing, no matter where you are in the country. For people with extremely low incomes who also face disabilities or complex health challenges, providing supportive housing can be a multifaceted task. It necessitates a dual approach: combining housing assistance (such as rental subsidies) with tenancy support services. If these support services were covered under Medicaid, however, many more people could benefit from supportive housing, especially with Congress’s support.

The Role of Tenancy Support Services
Tenancy support services help clients find affordable rental units, understand their tenancy rights, address landlord and tenant issues, and establish connections to vital community services.

Tenancy support services, if recognized as a Medicaid-covered service, hold the potential to significantly increase the number of people who can benefit from supportive housing. But transitioning to a Medicaid model can pose challenges for local homeless services organizations, particularly given the prevalent issues of staff turnover and high caseloads due to inadequate funding levels. The process of navigating the labyrinth of complex and overlapping regulations for housing and services often hinders the alignment of services with independent housing. Federal action, however, can help simplify this process.

What Congress Can Do to Help
Our organizations, the National Alliance to End Homelessness and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), have been diligently working on legislation to address these pressing concerns, especially the Housing Alignment and Coordination of Critical and Effective Supportive Health Services (Housing ACCESS) Act. The legislation was introduced by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), the chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security Subcommittee and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), a member of the Senate Committee on the Budget. The Housing ACCESS Act would accomplish three important things:

1. Align Resources. Within a year of enactment, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Treasury, would issue guidance to state Medicaid agencies, public housing agencies, Continuums of Care, and housing finance agencies. This guidance would facilitate the alignment of eligibility criteria and determination processes, ensuring that people receive housing and services through a simplified eligibility process.
2. Support Providers. The Act would clarify how to use federal funds so local homeless service providers can develop the infrastructure needed to seek Medicaid reimbursement. Most homeless service providers lack the financial systems and information technology capacity required for Medicaid billing. The Act encourages providers to pursue reimbursement for supportive housing services from state Medicaid programs, and details how to access reimbursement and which federal funds to use for provider capacity-building grants.
3. Determine Reimbursement Rates. The Act mandates a national study on the reimbursement rates necessary for tenancy support services and services provided by certified community behavioral health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers. This study will aid in establishing reimbursement rates that enable providers to offer living wages, reduce staff turnover, and ensure evidence-based case ratios.

Why This Act is Important
The Housing ACCESS Act boasts minimal costs and does not introduce new policies and programs, which makes it promising legislation for bipartisan support. Furthermore, the legislation is not solely aimed at people experiencing homelessness. Individuals with extremely low incomes and acute healthcare needs, including those unnecessarily institutionalized, exiting the justice system, or moving between licensed care settings and the streets, will all benefit.

While we celebrate the introduction of the Housing ACCESS Act, we recognize that this is only the beginning. We must rally additional Congressional cosponsors and seek endorsements from more organizations. For those of us committed to ending homelessness, the prospect of enacting the Housing ACCESS Act is thrilling. Aligning housing and services resources at the system level could usher in a transformative era, significantly reducing chronic homelessness and unnecessary institutionalization.

Ann Oliva is Chief Executive Officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Deborah De Santis is President and CEO at CSH.

In a collaborative effort organized by CSH, representatives from two cities recently gathered in Philadelphia for a multi-day convening focused on addressing the complex challenge of street homelessness and people experiencing mental illness or substance use disorder. Coordinated by the CSH Michigan and Metro (NY, NJ, and PA) teams, this meeting brought together key stakeholders from each city, including officials from mayoral offices, city agencies, police departments, housing and service providers, and community-based organizations.

Detroit’s delegation, including officials from Mayor Mike Duggan’s Office, the Housing and Revitalization Department, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, and the Detroit Police Department, joined counterparts from Philadelphia, represented by various departments and organizations such as the Office of Homeless Services, the Managing Director’s Office, the Office of Criminal Justice, Families Forward Philadelphia, the House of Passage Access Point, the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, the Philadelphia Police Department, Project HOME, and Pathways to Housing PA.

The meeting served as a platform for an exchange of best practices, lessons learned, successes, and challenges in addressing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorders. As the host city, Philadelphia showcased innovative initiatives in homeless services, police diversion, response to the opioid epidemic, and behavioral health investment in housing and homeless services.

For instance, the Philadelphia Police Department highlighted its Police-Assisted Diversion (PAD) program, a pilot initiative redirecting individuals with low-level, non-violent offenses toward supportive, peer-based social services instead of the carceral and justice systems. Additionally, host organizations shared details about preventative programs such as the Overdose Prevention and Community Healing Fund, a $3.5 million grantmaking program, and innovative harm reduction practices by Pathways to Housing, including in-unit technology that supports tenants and prevents overdoses.

“CSH expresses gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with communities committed to improving services for individuals facing complex barriers to housing. The insights gained from this meeting provide valuable lessons for other communities looking to implement person-centered preventative programs,” said Brian McShane, Associate Director of CSH PA/NJ. “The collaborative efforts witnessed in Philadelphia underscore the potential for impactful, city-wide change, setting a precedent for future collaboration and progress in addressing homelessness.”

With a heavy heart, CSH shares the sad news that longtime supportive housing advocate and member of the CSH board of directors, Dorothy Edwards, 66, has passed away.

Dorothy joined the CSH board in 2014 and was an inaugural member of the CSH Speak Up! program. Through Speak Up!, Dorothy cultivated her voice as a tireless advocate for supportive housing and worked to destigmatize people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorder.

Dorothy’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it’s a testament to the transformative power of support, compassion, and second chances. For numerous years, she experienced homelessness and struggled with mental illness and substance use disorder in Los Angeles before making her way to Pasadena. There, an insistent outreach worker convinced her to consider supportive housing and connected her to a home at Housing Works, a local nonprofit supportive housing developer and operator. She found hope at Housing Works, where she was not just embraced, but uplifted and eventually hired as a Peer Advocate.

Through a safe apartment, financial support, counseling, and a community, Dorothy began her journey toward recovery, healing, and self-discovery, which led to her finding her voice as a Speak Up! advocate and board member with CSH. Dorothy showed us that even in the most challenging of obstacles, we possess the power to rebuild our lives.

As a board member and Speak Up! advocate, Dorothy lent her unique perspective and an unwavering passion to the organization. Her insight, forged through her personal journey, has been invaluable in shaping the path of our work and the minds of many elected officials. She met with lawmakers in California and Washington D.C., including U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA). Impressed with Dorothy’s passion and knowledge about the barriers that keep people trapped in cycles of homelessness, Rep. Chu recognized her with the Congressional “Woman of the Year” award. Also, Dorothy received coverage in national media, including USA TODAY and Washington Monthly. Dorothy’s advocacy reminded us that every individual is a reservoir of untapped potential, and with opportunity and support, they, too, can overcome the most daunting obstacles.

In an Op-Ed she penned in late 2021 in support of President Biden’s Build Back Better bill and to counter a vocal campaign to discredit Housing First, Dorothy wrote that “policy failure comes not from Housing First but from the fact that we have invested too little in affordable housing, services, and fair wages in our country, resulting in the scores of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.” She added, “People don’t decide to become homeless. Homelessness starts with a need. A need for a job with a living wage, a need for a home they can afford, a need to access healthy food, supports, and a need to be part of a community. These are basic human needs.”

Today, we remember Dorothy not only for her personal triumphs but for her indomitable spirit, her commitment to CSH, Housing Works, and countless peers, and her unwavering belief in the power of recovery and second chances. Her legacy is a reminder that every life is worth saving, every story is worth hearing, and every person is capable of achieving greatness.

Dorothy is survived by her partner Vic, her beloved dog, Ziggy, family members, colleagues, and friends.

In her honor, we continue to work diligently to advance affordable housing and the support and resources that allow others to find their own paths to success, just as Dorothy did. We will forever be grateful for her dedication and inspiration.

Dorothy, you are an enduring symbol of the extraordinary strength of the human spirit, and we will carry your memory with us in our mission to create a better, more compassionate world.

Media Contact: Jesse Dean, 347-931-0132

October 25, 2023 – New York, NY – CSH, a leading national nonprofit organization and CDFI dedicated to improving access to stable, quality housing for individuals experiencing long-term homelessness, is proud to announce that it has successfully secured $60 million in New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). This significant allocation will enable CSH to amplify its commitment to advancing quality healthcare and support services that address critical needs and create a positive impact for supportive housing tenants.

The award of $60 million in NMTC is a testament to CSH’s outstanding track record in advancing projects for supportive housing, healthcare, and other support services. The funding will directly finance various projects to invest capital into projects tied to supportive and affordable housing that promote economic growth and access to essential services.

“We are thrilled and grateful to receive this substantial investment from the New Market Tax Credits program,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO at CSH. “CSH uses these funds to ensure access to essential community-based services and healthcare for affordable and supportive housing residents that support their opportunity to thrive.”

The New Market Tax Credits program, administered by the CDFI Fund, is vital in driving economic development and revitalization in underserved communities. CSH’s allocation of $60 million in NMTC will enable the organization to leverage public-private partnerships further and secure the necessary financing for community projects that align with its mission to advance quality affordable and supportive housing.

This announcement comes after the CDFI Fund’s recent release of the NMTC allocation awards, as highlighted in their September statement. CSH’s successful application underscores its commitment to utilizing innovative financing mechanisms to bring about transformative change in the communities it serves.

Executive Summary and Background on NYC Housing Landscape

As American communities balance state and local budgets, residents are making the connection between strong community-based investments and improvements in public safety. In 2022, during the first months of the Eric Adams’ mayoral administration, the largest-known survey of NYC residents found that residents saw affordable housing and reducing homelessness as key to public safety.[1] Providing evidence in support of this conclusion is Columbia University’s Frequent User Systems Engagement (FUSE) 10-Year Follow-up Report. This report is a critical, data-driven analysis showing that supportive housing is a cost-effective solution that helps reduce the utilization of local jails, prisons, and other crisis systems like emergency rooms and temporary shelters. As the first 10-year longitudinal study of supportive housing ever conducted, this report offers an unprecedented opportunity to examine the value of investments in supportive housing and its long-term impact on crisis systems and communities.

The NYC FUSE initiative began in 2008 through a collaborative effort between Columbia University, Corporation for Supportive Housing, NYC Department of Corrections, and NYC Department of Homeless Services. Researchers identified approximately 160 individuals with multiple episodes of incarceration and homelessness and connected them with supportive housing. Researchers followed participants over 24 months. The study found that these individuals remained stably housed and reduced their interactions with the justice system when supportive housing was used as an intervention. The FUSE report also identified significant taxpayer savings realized through reduced interactions with emergency services.  A closely matched comparison group of similar individuals were also tracked as part of this study.The recently completed FUSE 10-year follow-up report confirmed that supportive housing, which combines affordable housing with voluntary, individualized services, continues these benefits in the long term. This follow-up study found that at least $45M in public expenditures on jail and shelter alone could have been saved within five years, had all persons with similar complex histories of homelessness and incarceration accessed supportive housing. This is a conservative estimate of total cost savings as it does not include additional savings associated with avoidable crisis care, medical and behavioral health services. During the original FUSE evaluation, this was a major driver of cost savings for publicly funded services.

The FUSE Long Term Study includes two components

• Quantitative (completed): Research focused on understanding FUSE participants’ journeys over the last decade through analyzing reincarcerations, shelter entries, and hospital admissions and the averted costs from crisis systems that the supportive housing intervention provided.
• Qualitative (upcoming) – Personal interviews of FUSE participants to capture the overall wellbeing across multiple domains, including family and social support, employment, community engagement, physical and mental health, and quality of life.

The first phase of the FUSE Long Term study shows how stable housing is a critical component of successful community re-entry, not simply in the short term but over people’s lives.

• FUSE program participants spent 256 fewer days in shelter than members of the matched comparison group (statistically significant), as well as having fewer episodes of shelter admission.
• Controlling for a range of variables known to predict reincarceration, FUSE program participants spent an average of 95 fewer days in jail, which was also statistically significant.
• A trajectory analysis examining patterns over time found that despite people in both the intervention and comparison groups having similarly intense histories of incarceration and shelter use, post-intervention, the largest group of FUSE program participants (63%) had no jail or shelter experience after an early period of limited shelter stays.  Post-FUSE enrollment cycling between jail and shelter is absent, except for a small percentage of enrollees (13%).  In contrast, the large majority of comparison group members have life patterns that include multiple jail episodes (63%), including one subgroup where incarceration dominates throughout follow-up.  

New York has the most sophisticated financing structure to incentivize supportive housing development in the nation, and this may explain some of the FUSE longitudinal results.

• Examining year-by-year comparisons of days spent in shelter or jail, there were fewer differences between individuals placed in FUSE housing and comparison group members over time.  A likely reason was that increasing numbers of the comparison group became permanently housed and received associated benefits based on existing or additional system-level resources for supportive housing.
• Supportive housing resources in New York City have only increased over the past decade. Both New York State and NYC lead the nation in having dedicated, coordinated funding for supportive housing’s three required funding streams: capital, ongoing operations, and ongoing services. New York State’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) represents the state’s commitment to building 20,000 supportive housing units over 15 years. NYC’s 15/15 is NYC’s commitment to building 15,000 supportive housing units over 15 years.

Where FUSE is today in NYC

Based on the positive results of FUSE, NYC developed a similar program called Justice Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) program, overseen by the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH). JISH currently operates 120 supportive housing units spread across three different service providers and represents the only supportive housing dedicated for people leaving the Rikers Jail. A 2022 CSH analysis[2] showed more than 2,500 people held at Rikers in a given year need access to supportive housing. DOHMH released a 2019 RFP to expand the number of JISH apartments to 500 units as part of the Points of Agreement[3] to close Rikers Island jail. According to current JISH providers that CSH has engaged over the last few years, the service rates are so low in the RFP (over $10,000 less than what NYC 15/15 pays providers to support similar populations) that they have elected to not submit applications under the new RFP. Further, there have been no other serious bids made on this RFP[4]. The New York City Council has requested JISH be expanded as part of the 2022 and 2023 City budget negotiations but the expansion of JISH was not included in the final and most recent budget.

This analysis tells the story of recovery. The FUSE 10-Year Follow-Up Report demonstrates that providing safe housing and voluntary support services provides the basics of the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs for people struggling with mental illness, homelessness, and justice system involvement. Supportive housing as an intervention is effective in helping these people find stability and grounding within their community. NYC and other communities across the country should take note of FUSE’s powerful impact on public safety, reductions in crisis system utilization, and housing stability.

[1] Largest-known NYC survey finds affordable housing, reducing homelessness seen as keys to public safety – Gothamist

[2] For more information on the supportive housing needs for Rikers Jail, see CSH’s 2022 report: https://www.csh.org/resources/reduce-homelessness-for-people-impacted-by-the-criminal-legal-system/

[3] For more information on the Points of Agreement, see this website: BBJ_Points_of_Agreement_Rikers.pdf (nyc.gov)

[4] Some DOHMH JISH funding has been earmarked for an important Fortune Society-led Bronx supportive housing development Just Home that will service people coming out of incarceration who are medically complex. For more information on this project, see Fortune Society’s press release: https://fortunesociety.org/media_center/new-housing-for-formerly-incarcerated-people/

CSH and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) are excited to announce we are seeking applicants to participate in the 16th Indiana Supportive Housing Institute. The 2024 Institute will help supportive housing partners navigate the complex process of developing affordable housing with access to supportive services.

The Institute’s process is expected to reduce the time it takes to obtain funding for supportive housing by improving planning and development.

The Institute sessions will be delivered in person from February-May 2024. Teams interested in participating in the 2024 Institute must submit complete RFP response applications by the deadline noted below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Click here to view the RFP and Application

An informational webinar was held on October 17, 2023. 

Click here to view a recording of the webinar

Click here to view the webinar slides

Submit a PDF copy of the completed application and the required attachments to CSH by e-mail to: Indiana.Institute@csh.org

Application Deadline: Monday, December 4, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The 2024 Institute is made possible with the generous support of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and CSH.

Robin Brings More than 30 Years of Experience in Human Resources, Information Technology, and Facilities Management

New York, NY – September 25, 2023 – CSH today announced the appointment of Robin L. Robin as Chief People and Administrative Officer. Robin oversees human resources and recruitment, information technology, and administration for the national nonprofit intermediary and CDFI, with approximately 170 employees across the country and Puerto Rico and six office locations.

Robin will serve as CSH’s chief strategist on nurturing its diverse and talented workforce, including employees with multi-faceted backgrounds and expertise, as well as employees with personal experiences in housing instability, food insecurity, or child welfare and justice systems.

In addition, Robin’s role will be vital to helping CSH implement its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan that seeks to bolster CSH’s staff, culture, systems, infrastructure and foster an equitable workplace and culture of belonging. Robin will also lead efforts to boost technology, cybersecurity, and administrative support.

“Robin brings an impressive background in leading people-centered initiatives around employee engagement, recruitment, and compensation combined with expertise in streamlining technology and administrative processes,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO at CSH. “Strengthening CSH from within is a priority in the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, and we look forward to Robin’s leadership and expertise in this effort. Also, I welcome her leadership in developing and implementing the strategic components of CSH’s operational elements in the IT, administration, HR, talent development, and belonging realms.”

“I am excited to join CSH. Having the opportunity to work for an organization focused on equitable supportive housing that provides a path for families and individuals to live productive fulfilling lives, is joyful. It is pure fun to partner with such a dynamic and dedicated team,” said Robin.

Previously, Robin was Director of Human Resources at Primary Care Development Corporation, a national CDFI and technical assistance provider focused on boosting healthcare services. Prior to that, Robin was the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at The Fortune Society. Robin has also held various executive HR roles at the New York Hall of Science, Girls, Inc., and the Citizens Committee for New York City, Inc. Robin is also a Board Secretary at Lutheran Social Services of New York. Robin also speaks on the topics of human resources, equity, and leadership. Most recently, Robin spoke on navigating a hybrid work environment at an event hosted by the Opportunity Finance Network.

About the Corporation for Supportive Housing
The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is the national champion for supportive housing, demonstrating its potential to improve the lives of very vulnerable individuals and families by helping communities create more than 385,000 real homes for people who desperately need them. CSH funding, expertise and advocacy have provided $1.75 billion in direct loans and grants for supportive housing across the country. Building on more than 30 years of success developing multiple and cross-sector partnerships, CSH engages broader systems to fully invest in solutions that drive equity, center people and communities, and promote quality for housing, services, and economic security. By aligning affordable housing with services and other sectors, CSH helps communities move away from crisis, optimize their public resources, and ensure a better future for everyone. Visit us at www.csh.org.

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:
Delia Hernández, OHCS, HCS.mediarequests@hcs.oregon.gov
Jesse Dean, CSH, jesse.dean@csh.org

SALEM, OR – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) announced nine innovative projects that emerged from the fourth Oregon Supportive Housing Institute (SHI). A CSH initiative, the SHI is designed to increase the pipeline and supply of quality affordable housing paired with comprehensive support services.

The nine project teams from across the state met over five-months for intensive training and technical assistance to develop permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects. Permanent supportive housing is a national model that effectively serves individuals and families experiencing long-term homelessness. By providing on-site, individualized services, PSH leads to cost savings in public systems, particularly within healthcare and justice systems, and long-term housing stability for vulnerable households.

“The projects coming out of this year’s SHI is such a recognition that none of us do big things by ourselves,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “Each of you doing the work individually and collectively model for the nation what is possible when we work together to serve our beloved communities.”

The 2023 Oregon SHI projects focus on developing high quality homes for households experiencing long-term homelessness. Some projects are specifically designed for seniors, Veterans, people living with mental illness, Latino/a/x communities, Tribal members, immigrants, and refugees. Also, there are several projects serving rural communities throughout the state.

As Rae Trotta, CSH Senior Program Manager said to the project teams today, “Supportive housing is a true commitment among yourselves and your community.”

After the launch of the SHI in 2019, PSH expertise and developer capacity greatly expanded and has led to a significant increase in PSH development across Oregon. Thirty-six teams have graduated from the SHI since 2019, resulting in 657 new PSH homes approved for funding by the Oregon Housing Stability Council.

Projects coming out of this year’s institute include:

“Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is an incredible partner to CSH and the people of Oregon. Their commitment to increasing the supply of affordable and supportive housing across the state has helped so many individuals and families achieve stability and thrive in their communities,” said CSH President and CEO, Deborah De Santis.

About Oregon Supportive Housing Institute

The Oregon Supportive Housing Institute (SHI) is a signature initiative of Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) in collaboration with and support from Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Since its start in the state, 36 teams have participated in the Oregon SHI that has resulted in 657 new permanent supportive housing units. The Oregon SHI has had diverse statewide representation from every region in Oregon.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services

Oregon Housing and Community Services provides resources for Oregonians to reduce poverty and increase access to stable housing. Our intentional focus on housing and community services allows the agency to serve Oregonians across the housing continuum, including preventing homelessness, providing housing stability supports, financing the building and preservation of affordable housing and encouraging homeownership.

About Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is a national nonprofit intermediary for housing developers, service providers, local and state agencies, funders, and policymakers, demonstrating the potential for supportive housing to improve the lives of very vulnerable individuals and families. CSH has advanced a pipeline of more than 425,000 real homes for people who desperately need them. CSH engages broader systems to fully invest in solutions that build a just and equitable world in which people have a safe and affordable home, a community in which they feel belonging, and the services and wealth they need to sustain it. Visit us at www.csh.org.