In reality, the gathering feels more like a reunion than a conference. There are hugs, smiles, and good spirits abound.
Once each year—officially, anyway—colleagues and friends involved in housing and community-minded building across the Show Me State get together for the Missouri Workforce Housing Association Conference. It’s the premier networking event for professionals in Missouri’s affordable housing industry. The conference brings together hundreds of people from various organizations and states to support MOWHA’s mission: improving public policy to increase affordable housing production. It’s here they share experiences, challenges and ideas. The feeling when attending is one of being part of a neighborhood.
The Vecino Group again had the honor of facilitating one of the forums at the event. On Thursday, June 5th our own Jordan Gibson, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development moderated a breakout session focused on Permanent and Supportive Housing which included panelists Cynthia Duffe, Gateway Housing First of St Louis, Tony Hilkin, Places for People and Heather Bradley-Geary, Director of Supportive Housing for Vecino Group.
“Even as Vecino has evolved from an attendee to a panelist and presenter over the years,” said Jordan, “there is still so much that we take away from MOWHA each year. The contacts we make and ideas that are shared around can very well be the point that allows us to deliver a future community.”
“MOWHA has been great to Vecino over the years, and we are flattered to be asked back in this capacity. To help others avoid some of the mistakes we’ve made in the past—that helps everyone.”
The panel described what makes a PSH project successful – from both the development side and from the resident support side. They also discussed policy shifts that are opening up more opportunities for PSH development, as well as unique partnerships – with health providers, service agencies, or local governments – and creative models or designs that can maximize both housing stability and supportive services. The subject of NIMBY-sim (Not In My Back Yard) and other potential pushback from neighbors—or even a municipality.
“Our experience is that communication—early and often—is key to people understanding what permanent supportive housing is. And in many situations, what it ISN’T.” said Heather. “There is a stigma around PSH, even affordable housing, which can lead to misconceptions about it. Revealing to people what it is, what it can do and the level to which it can save lives…literally… removes many hurdles.”