For those experiencing chronic homelessness — being homeless for a year or longer while living with a condition like mental illness, substance use disorder, a physical disability, or HIV/AIDS, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — the best relief they can receive is a safe, dignified place to live.

Many states and cities have purchased former hotels and motels to provide these folks with a consistent, supportive living space. Some of these programs are coming to a close, but private nonprofits and development companies still believe there is merit to these methods. 

In Des Moines, Iowa, a former Days Inn is nearing its final stages of renovation and will soon reopen as The Monarch Apartments: an affordable housing project with supportive services for adults and couples recovering from chronic homelessness.

It will be the first “hotel conversion to Permanent Supportive Housing” in the state of Iowa.

Margo Miller, who will oversee the program, is eager to begin moving people in.

“The great thing about this is it’s a single-site permanent supportive housing, which means we’re going to get 40 people off the streets at one time and into housing,” Miller told The Des Moines Register. 

“I’m excited about that because I think this model — this single-site permanent supportive housing — is the way to end homelessness in Polk County. I think it’s attainable if we continue to do projects like this in our community.”

The model she speaks of includes individual apartments for 40 tenants, all of which will be newly renovated and fully furnished, with a number of essentials donated from the community. 

“It’s more than just the four walls that they can call home,” added Miller, who said that having furniture and essentials instills a sense of pride in residents. “There are end tables and a couch and plates in the kitchen.”

In addition to these living quarters, The Monarch Apartments will also include gathering spaces, as well as immediate access to resources, on-site case managers, live-in peer staff, and other professionals dedicated to helping people navigate sobriety and other mental health conditions. 

“Housing is attainable and sobriety is attainable, and treating your mental health isn't as scary as it seems,” Miller said. “These people will be able to walk alongside them and say: ‘You know what? I’ve been there.’”

The project is being led by Anawim Housing, a nonprofit behind 673 housing units in Iowa. This particular permanent housing project will be for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and have been referred by Primary Health Care, the county’s entry point for people who are unsheltered, meaning they don’t have a place to sleep at night. 

Tenants will be required to sign a lease agreeing to pay rent and utilities, though access to the supportive services will be included as long as they’re living there.

“Each person will have a lease and a door that locks. The apartments will belong to them, and they can do all the things that you or I would expect to do if we lived in an apartment,” Cynthia Latcham, president of Anawim Housing, said in a press conference for the new facility.

Built on the Housing First model, The Monarch Apartments aims to meet people’s immediate needs, so they can go on to take care of the other challenges in their lives.

“Housing is the solution to homelessness,” Latcham continued. “Housing is hope, and housing is healthcare, and housing is the foundation for people being able to do more with their lives on an every-single-day basis.”

The apartments are also located in close proximity to public transit, as well as a number of employment opportunities, including area restaurants, car washes, and other hotels.

“Whether it’s being a laundry person or a housekeeper in a hotel, working at one of the fast food restaurants in the area, there’s a lot of opportunity for employment that’s close,” Miller said.

While construction is still underway, Miller said she hopes the apartments will be complete by early March of this year. 

And community advocates are ready to keep up the momentum.

“Anawim Housing … not only are they building homes, but they are building hope in our community,” Polk County Supervisor Angela Connoly said in a press conference. 

“They provide shelter to those in need, but also wrap their arms around them to provide the skills and the services that can bring long-term stability … So, when are we going to do the next hotel?”

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Header image courtesy of Anawim Housing