Author: Garrett Lloyd

CSH, Virginia Housing, the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND), and the Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) in collaboration with state and local partners, are excited to announce the first statewide Supportive Housing Institute of Virginia beginning this June 2024.

 

The CSH Institute has a strong record of accomplishment across the country, with graduates experiencing an 80% success rate in bringing projects into operation. The Institute will provide targeted training and technical assistance to both new and experienced development teams. Teams receive intensive training over 4 months including individualized technical assistance and support to assist in planning quality projects. CSH Subject matter experts from across the state and the country, in partnership with local expertise, will provide insight on coordinating services and property management, asset management, building a race equity culture, financing, funding and trauma-informed design.

 

This is an exciting opportunity for supportive service providers, housing developers, and property/asset managers throughout the state to receive over 10 days of practical training and individualized technical assistance on developing supportive housing, engage with key representatives, and develop meaningful and sustainable project concepts. The CSH Institute has a strong record of accomplishment across the country, with graduates experiencing an 80% success rate in bringing projects into operation. CSH Subject matter experts from across the state and the country, in partnership with local expertise, will provide insight on coordinating services and property management, asset management, building a race equity culture, financing, funding and trauma-informed design. 

 

Please click here to watch the recording of the How to Apply Webinar held on April 18th, 2024. Anyone who is interested in applying for the Institute but was unable to attend the webinar should email shi.va@csh.org to gain access. The application will close on May 17, 2024, at 5pm EST. 

 

The 2024 statewide Institute is made possible by Virginia Housing. Due to their commitment to supportive housing, the Institute is offered free of charge to participants.

 

Purpose of Consulting Services  

CSH seeks to contract with one individual with lived experience of homelessness and supportive housing who is willing to use their expertise to inform a collaborative initiative with the National Alliance to End Homelessness.  This initiative is intended to focus on supporting additional research on supportive housing, understanding the opportunities and challenges providers are facing, and advancing policy solutions to strengthen and scale supportive housing.

The individual selected will serve as a consultant to CSH from approximately May through December 2024. The consultant is expected to provide approximately 70 hours of consulting services at $100/hour worked through December 31, 2024. Up to four trips may be included as part of this initiative, and travel costs and time will be covered.

Please note that much of the communication and work for this consultation will take place virtually. Consultant must have regular access to a computer and be comfortable using virtual meeting technology such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

 

Planned Activities  

CSH has several staff members that are also working on this initiative who will coordinate with the consultant on a regular basis in order to divide tasks, clarify the scope of work and adjust tasks as requested by the consultant.  

Task 1: Focus Group Planning – May 2024 through October 2024

Consultant will support the planning for a series of 8 focus groups, 4 in person and 4 virtual, to be conducted from May through October 2024. The purpose of the focus groups is to understand challenges and opportunities across the country related to supportive housing. Planning will include reviewing and providing feedback on focus group questions, people to be invited, and agendas. Planning will take place via phone calls with CSH and NAEH staff. Consultant will also communicate regularly with CSH staff via text, email, and phone, as necessary.

Task 2: Focus Group Attendance and Support – May 2024 through October 2024

Consultant will attend selected focus groups (anticipated to be 2 in person and 2 virtual) and support facilitation. Consultant will attend follow up discussions with NAEH and CSH to debrief the session and make any necessary changes to future sessions.

Task 3: Publications – October 2024 through December 2024

Consultant will support the development of:

• Brief report summarizing focus group findings.
• Brief document summarizing policy goals and recommendations.

This support may include drafting sections of these documents and/or reviewing and providing feedback on drafts.

 

Project Timeline  

Consultant activities for this project will begin on or before May 1, 2024 and will be reimbursed through December 2024.  

 

Project Budget  

CSH estimates a total cost for the tasks described not to exceed $7,300 including hours spent traveling. The hourly pay for consultant activities is $100/hour. Consultant will share their availability with CSH for this work and the total amount billed will not exceed $7,300. Travel costs will be billed and reimbursed separately.  

 

Application Process and Vendor Requirements

To apply for this opportunity, please complete this interest form by April 26, 2024. Applicants may be asked to participate in an interview with CSH staff. Each interview will not be more than one hour. Any applicants not selected will be informed by phone call and/or email.

Required Qualifications

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The willingness and ability to use lived expertise of homelessness and supportive housing to inform this project.
• Experience and/or interest in supportive housing.
• Experience and interest with developing agendas and/or leading small group conversations (focus groups).
• Experience and interest with writing and/or documents that summarize discussions.
• Interest in participating in discussions designed to develop recommendations based on focus group conversations.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and/or agencies.
• Ability to track and report hours worked.
• Ability to commit to the minimum number of hours.

CSH encourages individuals with a diverse array of experiences and backgrounds to apply.

Please note: CSH aims to be a responsible partner to the people we pay for time-limited work who are receiving public benefits by providing them with as much support as possible and appropriate to help them make informed choices about how much they want to work for us and/or for other organizations. Due to the highly specialized and individualized nature of this work, however, CSH does not currently have the expertise to provide benefits counselling to individuals but will provide as much support as possible to connect individuals with outside partner benefits counselling, so they can make the most informed decision as it relates to their ability to commit to this position.

Please note that CSH requires subcontractors, including individuals and sole proprietors, to carry workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance while performing work under a CSH subcontract. CSH subcontractors cannot have existing, pending or expired debarments that preclude them from doing business with the United States government and cannot have convictions for, nor have any pending indictments for, fraud or a criminal offense in connection with a public contract or subcontract.

Please contact Stephanie Mercier, Director—Strategy, Impact and Evaluation, with any additional questions regarding this opportunity (stephanie.mercier@csh.org).

Media Contact: Garrett Lloyd, 617-620-3752

March 5, 2024 | San Diego, CA – CSH, a leading national nonprofit organization and CDFI dedicated to improving access to stable, quality supportive housing for individuals experiencing long-term homelessness announced it has received a $175,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. The grant will be used to enhance CSH’s ability to invest in supportive housing projects, strengthen the affordable housing field and lead housing policy efforts in California. 

“Creating equitable opportunities for our community requires resources, and we appreciate the support from the U.S. Bank Foundation, which helps us continue to build and expand the innovative programs we’re proud to offer,” said Simonne Ruff, Director, CSH. 

CSH expertise, investment, and technical assistance supported 1,384 units of supportive housing and 2,441 additional units of affordable housing across California in 2023. 

“Safe and stable housing helps children, families and communities thrive. Working with CSH to create access to affordable and supportive housing is an investment that will benefit generations to come,” said Rockette Ewell, Vice President, California Region Manager, Community Affairs at U.S. Bank. 

U.S. Bank is committed to powering human potential and creating lasting change in communities. The bank does this through the Community Possible platform, including philanthropy, community investments and team member volunteerism. 

For more information about CSH and its programs, visit www.csh.org 

 

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CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) advances affordable and accessible housing aligned with services by advocating for effective policies and funding, equitably investing in communities, and strengthening the supportive housing field. Since our founding in 1991, CSH has been the only national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing. Over the course of our work, we have created more than 467,600 units of affordable and supportive housing and distributed more than $1.5 billion in loans and grants. Our workforce is central to accomplishing this work. We employ approximately 170 people across 30 states and U.S. Territories. As an intermediary, we do not directly develop or operate housing but center our approach on collaboration with a wide range of people, partners, and sectors. For more information, visit www.csh.org.     

CSH celebrated Black History Month 2024 all month long by recognizing Black housing developers who are creating history in real time!

We spotlighted various housing developers involved in CSH’s “Redesigning Access by Centering Equity” Initiative, commonly referred to as the RACE Initiative.

We encourage you to take a look at the series featured on all CSH channels and visit csh.org/race to learn more about this work focused on driving equity among communities historically shut out from capital investment.

Alexis Butler, RACE Initiative Director at CSH, introduced the series earlier in the month

Featured Spotlights:

Ericka Keller

Ericka, Keller, Chairperson/CEO at Brisa Builders Corp/ Brisa Builders Development LLC. Brisa Builders is part of a group developing Glenmore Manor Apartments in Brooklyn, NY. Glenmore Manor will be a residential unit with over 200 units, 70 of which will be permanent supportive housing units. 

It is an honor for CSH to partner with industry leaders, such as Ericka, who make a significant investment in our communities that historically have faced systemic barriers that excluded them from accessing capital investment opportunities. We are thrilled to have Ericka as an ally in the affordable and supportive housing field. 

“CSH’s RACE Initiative was instrumental in providing the necessary pre- development funding to get the Glenmore Manor project off to a strong and sustainable start. Pre-development funds are often precarious to obtain, therefore this initial funding laid the groundwork for us to be able to move the project at the pace necessary to remain in the pipeline despite the backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ericka. 

“We closed on construction last year and look forward to delivering 233 units of affordable housing, including 70 permanently supportive housing units, 16 AIRS units, a plethora of building amenities for the residents, in addition to a state -of -the- art entrepreneurial HUB for established and emerging businesses in the community upon which I grew up in – Brownsville, Brooklyn.  Thank you CSH’s RACE Initiative for your commitment in action to make this happen!”

Learn more about Brisa Builders at https://www.brisabuilders.com

 

 

Mike Miller

Mike Miller, Founder & President at Bold Communities.
Bold Communities, in partnership with PATH Ventures, is developing PATH Villas El Cerrito I, a new construction project in San Diego that will provide supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

CSH is delighted to collaborate with trailblazers like Mike through the RACE Initiative with the common goal of prioritizing investments in communities most impacted by systemic inequalities. These communities have long grappled with systemic hurdles, barring them from opportunities and access to wealth-building activities.

After a decade of experience in real estate development with a focus on leveraging LIHTCs to advance affordable housing, Mike founded BOLD Communities to contribute to solving the state’s housing crisis. We are proud to have Mike and Bold Communities as a partner!

“The CSH Race Initiative has been an incredible resource for Bold Communities,” said Mike. “In addition to hosting a range of very applicable industry-specific educational workshops and networking opportunities with key stakeholders and practitioners, the program has provided meaningful grant funding, which has been a critical catalyst for our growth as a nascent organization. I am truly grateful to the CSH team and the access they have created for us through the RACE Initiative.”

Learn more about Bold Communities at https://boldcommunities.org 

 

 

Saeeda Dunston

We are proud to recognize Saeeda Dunston, CEO at Elmcor.  

CSH is incredibly fortunate to partner with Elmcor, a true standout and leading community-based organization in Queens, a borough of New York City, through CSH’s RACE Initiative.  

Elmcor, the oldest Black-founded and Black-led non-profit in Queens, NY, led the development of Helen M. Marshall Manor, a project in Corona, NY that will provide supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness with substance use disorder.  Elmcor hosted a ribbon cutting event at Helen M. Marshall Manor for the grand opening. Watch the coverage of the event from CBS News here.

 

“As a Black-led organization making its foray into the housing development space with the recent opening of our first permanent supportive/affordable housing complex, the Helen M. Marshall Manor, at Elmcor, we understand the challenges in securing much-needed funding and advocacy, as well as receiving guidance navigating a multilayered, complex process”, said Saeeda. “That’s why we value our partnership with CSH, as it shares our vision of a future where the most vulnerable among us can thrive. In 2023, we were honored to receive the CSH R.A.C.E. Initiative Award, as this recognition is a testament to this institution’s commitment to advancing Elmcor’s future development goals and broad support for Black-led housing development as a whole. Moving forward, we’re excited to build upon our collaboration, as we utilize CSH’s vast knowledge, technical assistance, and training as elements of our future development projects.” 

Learn more about Elmcor at https://www.elmcor.org

CSH offers the DMHAS Training Catalog to provide a wide range of timely and relevant learning
experiences for professionals working with single individuals and families in supportive and affordable
housing. From live webinars to custom trainings, we provide a range of solutions to meet your needs.

The trainings delivered provide an opportunity to learn with impact. We build your capacity to provide
and deliver quality services and housing. With a focus on thriving, we offer tools, trainings, and support
that fit your needs and the needs of those you support.

To learn more about how CSH can meet your individual, program, and organizational professional
development needs, please contact us at ctinfo@csh.org for more information.

 

VIEW THE SPRING 2024 CATALOG HERE

Indiana Supportive Housing Institute celebrates 16th year

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 30, 2024) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), and Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) have announced the four teams selected to participate in the 2024 Indiana Supportive Housing Institute.

The Supportive Housing Institute is a premier workshop experience that helps housing developers, service providers, property managers and community-based organizations jumpstart supportive housing projects that combine affordable housing with access to supportive services. The Institute sessions outline evidence-based practical steps towards implementing supportive housing developments targeted to communities in Indiana. The teams were selected through a competitive process.

“The Institute continues to be an intentional opportunity for organizations to develop detailed, individualized supportive housing plans,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Past participants have experienced great success applying the Institute’s training to development in their communities and we are excited to continue encouraging dynamic projects in 2024.”

This year marks the 16th year of the Indiana Supportive Housing Institute and the ongoing partnership between IHCDA and CSH to bring more affordable supportive housing across the state for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

“The Indiana Supportive Housing Institute is an opportunity for IHCDA to promote housing stability for those experiencing homelessness,” said Jacob Sipe, executive director of IHCDA. “It’s important that IHCDA and our partners align affordable housing developments to the current needs in communities. We congratulate the teams selected for the Institute, and look forward to collaborating with them to advance supportive housing in the state.”

Below is a list of organizations participating in this year’s Institute:

Lake Park, Indiana (Lake County)

• Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA): team lead, owner, co-developer and property management entity
• Gratus Development: co-developer
• Regional Care Group & Regional Health Systems: supportive services providers

Indianapolis, Indiana (Marion County)

• KCG Companies: owner and developer
• KCG Residential, LLC: property management entity
• Adult & Child Health: supportive services provider

Indianapolis, Indiana (Marion County)

• Collins Housing Solutions, LLC: owner and co-developer
• T&H Investments: co-developer
• Herron Property Management: property management entity
• Horizon House: supportive services provider

Muncie, Indiana (Delaware County)

• Radiant Community Development Corp.: owner and developer
• Herron Property Management: property management entity
• Muncie Mission Ministries & Open Door Health Services: supportive services providers
• The City of Muncie: community partner

“CSH is thrilled to partner with IHCDA for another year of the Supportive Housing Institute, a display of our shared values and commitment to increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing in Indiana,” said Lori Phillips-Steele, Director of CSH Indiana. “This work is critical in helping individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness across the state to receive crucial services and quality housing.”

Over the next few months, these teams will work closely with IHCDA and CSH through targeted training and group exercises incorporating CSH’s Quality Supportive Housing Standards. Teams will also receive technical assistance and be presented with pre-development financing opportunities. The Institute will culminate with teams presenting their final plans to CSH, IHCDA and Institute sponsors.

Following graduation from the Institute, each lead organization can apply for funding through IHCDA’s LIHTC program.

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The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), chaired by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, provides housing opportunities, promotes self-sufficiency and strengthens communities in order to build an Indiana with a sustainable quality of life for all Hoosiers in the community of their choice. For more information, visit: in.gov/ihcda.

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) advances affordable and accessible housing aligned with services by advocating for effective policies and funding, equitably investing in communities, and strengthening the supportive housing field. Since our founding in 1991, CSH has been the only national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing. Over the course of our work, we have created more than 467,600 units of affordable and supportive housing and distributed more than $1.5 billion in loans and grants. Our workforce is central to accomplishing this work. We employ approximately 170 people across 30 states and U.S. Territories. As an intermediary, we do not directly develop or operate housing but center our approach on collaboration with a wide range of people, partners, and sectors. For more information, visit http://www.csh.org.   

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ian Hauer, Director of Marketing & Communications, IHCDA
iahauer@ihcda.in.gov

Jesse Dean, CSH
jesse.dean@csh.org

 

CSH congratulates Ability Housing, a nonprofit dedicated to developing affordable multifamily housing, for its groundbreaking achievement as the only organization in Florida to receive Gold certification from the CSH Quality Supportive Housing Standards program. 

Gold Certification, the highest level attainable, signifies Ability Housing’s commitment to excellence in providing supportive housing and pioneering industry innovations and best practices. CSH rigorously evaluated eight properties totaling 639 apartment homes developed and operated by Ability Housing in Central and Northeast Florida. 

The CSH Quality Supportive Housing Standards program, previously known as Dimensions of Quality, covers five key components: assessing core outcomes for tenants, program design and administration, property and housing management, supportive services, and community impact. 

In a press release Ability Housing issued today, Deborah De Santis, President and CEO at CSH, highlighted the exceptional correlation between positive resident outcomes and housing developers prioritizing quality across construction design, operations, case management and service delivery, and tenant-led engagement.

CSH’s Southeast Director, Deirdre Bolden, led CSH’s evaluation and commended the Ability Housing team for the achievement, commitment to quality and focus on residents’ success, which has positioned them as a leader in the supportive housing field.

Ability Housing’s success is underscored by its outstanding performance across all components, achieving a Gold status for eight multifamily properties. This recognition is valid for three years, emphasizing the organization’s sustained dedication to maintaining high standards. 

Click here to read the Ability Housing Press Release. 

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) are
excited to announce their partnership for the 2024 Illinois Supportive Housing Institute (“The Institute”). The 2024 Institute will be held in Champaign, IL and will address the statewide need for Permanent Supportive Housing.

 

The Institute is made possible with the support from the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

 

This Request for Application (RFA) intends to select teams to participate in the Institute. Over a course of 5 months, the Institute will provide targeted training and technical assistance that will result in a supportive housing project development proposal. Upon completion, teams are ready to apply for pre-development financing. Teams are comprised at minimum of a Developer partner, Property Management partner, and a Supportive Services partner. Teams are strongly encouraged to also include a person with lived experience.

The Institute will create a strong foundation for new supportive housing projects and help build strong teams equipped to navigate the complex process of developing housing with supportive services.

 

View the 2024 Illinois Supportive Housing Institute RFA Here

 

View the 2024 Illinois Supportive Housing Application Here

 

All applications are due February 8, 2024

An informational webinar was held on January 9, 2024 to provide an overview of the Supportive Housing Institute and how to get involved. The webinar recording can be found here.

Hear from past Illinois Supportive Housing Institute participants here.

Better