Community of Learning: Homelessness and Housing Insecurity in Light of COVID-19 - Session 2 (May 13, 2020)

May 13, 2020

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Whether it is described as an “affordable housing crisis” or Social Determinant of Health, there is a growing awareness that housing instability is a fundamental threat to health and wellness. UIOs have begun to address housing or are interested in doing so based on recognized need, as it impacts your patients, especially with concerns with the spread of COVID-19 for this population.

Native American Connections (NAC) has been recognized by the Casey Family Foundation as a “Community of Hope”.   For over 40 years, NAC has built a continuum of care services driven by the voice of the Community. 

 Learner Outcomes

1. Understanding the process of developing, financing and operating several hundred units of Permanent Supportive Housing for chronic homeless individuals
2. Understanding NAC’s commitment to financial sustainable and the importance of developing 3 budgets for each development project:  1.) Development/Construction, 2.) Operating the facility/physical building, and 3.) Long term funding for Supportive Services and case management
3. Understanding the integration of services with behavioral health, housing, and the social determinants of health

Presenter

Diana “Dede” Yazzie Devine, Native American Connections President/CEO has been working with Native American urban and tribal entities since 1972 and has been employed as the CEO of Native American Connections (NAC) since 1979 – for over 40 years.  NAC is a 501 (c) 3 Native American operated nonprofit corporation that provides comprehensive behavioral health services, affordable housing, and community based economic development opportunities.  With Native Americans determined as a priority population, NAC offers innovative research-based residential and outpatient behavioral health services integrated with Native cultural and traditional healing practices.  In addition, NAC developed, owns and operates over 1,000 units of affordable housing for working families and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals along the light-rail in Central Phoenix, and shelter and transitional housing for homeless youth age 18-24.  NAC is also a leader in multi-family housing LEED Platinum Certified building.  In 2016, NAC in partnership with the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Indian Center, renovated one of the remaining Phoenix Indian School (1891-1990) buildings, and now operate the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center and Gallery at Steele Indian School Park – telling the 99-year history of the school. 

About the Series 

On behalf of NCUIH’s Technical Assistance and Research Center (TARC) we invite you to join us for a Community of Learning (COL) on homelessness and housing insecurity among Urban Indians, with a lens to the current COVID-19 impacts. This is an opportunity to address these topics through a new Community of Learning with 2-3 planned sessions during this fiscal year. 

Series Objectives

• UIOs will benefit from discussing their shared experiences. 
• Participants can learn about innovative programs underway.
• Learn more about current funding opportunities.