CCUSA, other faith organizations join forces to help chronically homeless people

Affordable Housing

May 16, 2019

Alexandria, Va. (May 16, 2019) – Catholic Charities leaders from Spokane, Washington, Detroit, Michigan, Las Vegas, Nevada, Portland, Oregon, and St. Louis, Missouri meet in Spokane with key leaders from healthcare, dioceses and foundations to plan implementation of bold Catholic Charities Healthy Housing Initiative. Project financing, resource leveraging and local partner identification ensures the success of each of the five local projects.

The goals of the Initiative are: to decrease chronic homelessness by 20% in five US cities over five years through housing development and aggressive case management; decrease emergency readmission rates by at least 25%; and connect at least 35% of clients with primary care and behavioral health providers.

Spokane has already decreased chronic homelessness by 21% since 2017 and saved the local hospital $18 million annually. Mission alignment is key to success as Catholic Charities, Catholic Healthcare and Catholic dioceses join forces to provide homes for some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in these cities.

Sister Donna Markham, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, stated, “For us to commit to this Initiative is to put the gospel into action as we reach out to our sisters and brothers who are so in need of a place to call home.”