Anawim Housing
Monthly E-Newsletter | May 2023

CYNTHIA LATCHAM NAMED PRESIDENT OF ANAWIM HOUSING
We are happy to announce that Cynthia Latcham has been named President of Anawim Housing and formally assumed her new role earlier this month. Latcham previously served as Executive Director of Anawim since 2020, and succeeds Russ Frazier who stepped down as President after 13 years of leadership. Latcham celebrated her ten-year anniversary with the organization this past April.

The Anawim Housing Board of Directors engaged in a detailed selection process for the successor. Strategic planning has been in process for the past year to successfully move the organization forward under new leadership.

Latcham shared: "I look forward to continuing to address the shortage of both affordable housing and permanent supportive housing in Iowa. Housing is foundational and fundamental in achieving health, education and life goals and every person deserves a home that is safe and that they can afford. Anawim Housing is poised to make a significant impact in this arena and has a talented team to carry out the vision of our organization"


Anawim Board of Directors Vice Chair, Matt Callanan, shared: "I cannot think of anyone better suited to continue Anawim's legacy than Cynthia Latcham. Cynthia's experience, thoughtfulness, and passion are unmatched. I cannot be more excited to watch Anawim thrive under her guidance."

Read the full press release on our website by clicking READ MORE.


SPECIAL EVENT - Join us June 29th at the Des Moines Art Center
We invite you to join for a special evening to welcome in new leadership by celebrating change and honoring our legacy! Anawim Housing is hosting this event to commemorate Russ Frazier for his 13 years of leadership and welcome in Cynthia Latcham as president. Hors D'ouevres and beverages will be provided. Registration required. Event is free to attend.

Celebrating Change & Honoring Our Mission event:
When: Thursday, June 29
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: The Des Moines Art Center - 4700 Grand Ave. Des Moines
Register by clicking the button below!
A Gift in Honor:
In honor of our enduring mission and legacy, we ask you to please consider a gift to Anawim Housing. Donations will be accepted at the event, but if you are unable to attend or would like to make a gift in advance, you can do so through our secure online donation form. 100% of your donation supports our permanent supportive housing programs, supportive services, and resources available to our residents in affordable housing and those who have experienced homelessness.

Click HERE to make a donation to Anawim Housing.
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THE STAR LOFTS BREAK GOUND!
Sustainable Build, Affordable Housing
On May 4th, Anawim Housing and Cutler Development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the Star Lofts along Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. The Star Lofts will be a sustainable mass timber construction build and is set to be the first Zero Carbon Certified building in the state of Iowa. Anawim Housing and Cutler Development are co-developers on the project.

Star Lofts has received wide-spread community and state support as it is not only a sustainable build, but 100% of its twenty housing units will be affordable housing. The building will be a total of three levels, with commercial space on the ground level, and two floors made up of twenty one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and efficiency affordable housing units.
The project was awarded $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weood innovations and community wood grant program. Mass timber construction is desirable as it avoids creating fossil fuel emissions that come from traditional manufacturing practices. This sustainable build replaces the Star Gas Station and provides critical affordable housing to the Ingersoll Neighborhood which is already undergoing exciting revitalization efforts.

Learn more and view photos on our website by clicking READ MORE!
Pictured: (Top L-R):
Russ Bitterman - ID8 Architects; Brandon Pratt - The Capital Collective; Debi Durham - Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority & the Iowa Finance Authority; Connie Boesen - Des Moines City Council; John Plaisance - Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines; Russ Frazier - Anawim Housing; Molly Cutler - Cutler Development; Scott Cutler - Cutler Development; Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie; Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly; Carl Voss - Des Moines City Council; Cole McClelland - Chair of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund Board of Directors; Peter Cutler - Capital Homes 
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RISING TOWARD COMMUNITY
Join us June 21st!
Join us on the summer solstice - Wednesday, June 21st for the Anawim Housing Rising Toward Community event! Every year, Anawim joins together with the community to honor the strength, resilience, and determination of individuals and families who have overcome homelessness. This year we are partnering with the Full Circle Recovery Community Center to share the importance and connection of recovery coupled with permanent supportive housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.


Rising Toward Community Event:
When: Wednesday, June 21st
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Anawim Housing office - 1750 48th St. Des Moines, IA 50310

This uplifting event will include inspirational stories, community, and light food/beverages. Speakers will include those with lived experience. Event is open to all - no registration required.



ANAWIM HOUSING SPRING NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE NOW
Within the pages of our spring publication, you will find:

  • Building Upon a Legacy: Russ Frazier steps down from Anawim Housing and Latcham named President
  • Our inspiring cover story: "You go through rough times in your life, but you have to also make a choice to go through the doors we need to go through to make change happen." - Claressa
  • Giving Voice to the Unsheltered: Examining the results of the Unsheltered Des Moines Study
  • Anawim Expands Permanent Supportive Housing access and resources to Council Bluffs, Iowa


Read online by clicking READ MORE!

Event Recap: ANAWIM SPRING TOUR OF HOMES
On May 17th, Anawim Housing hosted our Spring Tour of Homes. Guests on the tour had a chance to walk through two of our senior living communities: Brickstones at Riverbend, and Baker Creek Senior. Each community offers just over 30 spacious apartments and handicap accessible units for those 55+. The tour also included viewing some of our single-family homes, townhomes, apartments and duplexes providing affordable housing throughout the 6th Avenue Neighborhood.

Catch the next tour! Our next tour will be our Fall Tour of Homes, scheduled for October 18th! Stay tuned for more details as we get closer.

View photos from the tour on our Facebook page by clicking READ MORE!

Guests on the tour visited our Baker Creek Senior Living community - located on Hubbell Avenue.
Interested in helping us work to end homelessness?

Anawim Housing develops stable homes and strengthens communities