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Unity Connection reports progress on youth homelessness services; transitional housing project nearing funding completion
Summary
Unity Connection outreach specialist described rising youth service demand, an ongoing food shortage at youth centers, and near-complete funding for a 12-unit transitional housing project supported by a CHIP grant and Housing Trust Fund application.
An Outreach Specialist for Unity Connection told the council the nonprofit is serving young people experiencing homelessness in Shelton and Belfair and said demand for services has increased. The specialist described daily food distribution, casework that helped several young people move into permanent housing, a shortage of food supplies, and fundraising and volunteer activities to restock donations.
At the meeting, Annie Havens (identified as Unity Connection Outreach Specialist) said the Shelton center and Belfair site are busy and that, through their care team, “four young people moved into permanent housing and [we] prevented additional households from becoming homeless.” She said the nonprofit keeps several off-site shelter housing programs stocked but is “extremely low on food supplies” and is organizing a food drive and local donation points.
Havens thanked City Manager Mark Ziegler for support with a CHIP grant that is helping move a transitional housing project forward. She told the council the project would create 12 units of safe, supportive housing for youth and that Unity Connection is in a final stage of its Housing Trust Fund application; if awarded, she said the project would be fully funded.
The presentation included an invitation for volunteers and listed near-term activities (food drive, partnerships with coffee stands and banks to collect donations) and upcoming events to raise funds. Havens thanked the council for the opportunity to present and asked for continued partnership to prevent and end youth homelessness in Mesa County (as stated in the presentation).
