Housing First
LaGrave on First
LaGrave on First is the city’s first Permanent Supportive Housing that utilizes the Housing First approach. The new apartment complex is located at 500 1st Avenue South, near public transit, safety infrastructure, and services. The building has supportive services on-site, a laundry room, community kitchen and dining, lounge space, and administrative offices on the first floor with 42 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors. LaGrave on First first opened its doors in August, 2018.
Why LaGrave on First?
LaGrave on First is a creative, effective, and cost saving solution to meet the needs of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Homelessness is a concern in North Dakota, with rates of climbing 200% from 2013 to 2014. Eastern North Dakota has not been immune to this rise, Grand Forks experienced a 75% increase in 2015, as well as an increase in chronic homelessness with recent counts as high as 62 individuals.
Not only is LaGrave on First a humanitarian approach, it is fiscally responsible. With the cost of chronic homelessness at $30,000-50,000 per year, per individual, this means major savings for Grand Forks. Instead of utilizing costly services like emergency room visits or incarceration, LaGrave on First provides a home and the support that has proven to improve tenancy and quality of life. Grand Forks can expect to save up to 40% on total cost of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Studies will be done to determine the community impact of having LaGrave on First.
Milestones for LaGrave on First
LaGrave on First is the city’s first Permanent Supportive Housing that utilizes the Housing First approach. The new apartment complex is located at 500 1st Avenue South, near public transit, safety infrastructure, and services. The building has supportive services on-site, a laundry room, community kitchen and dining, lounge space, and administrative offices on the first floor with 42 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments on the second, third, and fourth floors. LaGrave on First first opened its doors in August, 2018.
Why LaGrave on First?
LaGrave on First is a creative, effective, and cost saving solution to meet the needs of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Homelessness is a concern in North Dakota, with rates of climbing 200% from 2013 to 2014. Eastern North Dakota has not been immune to this rise, Grand Forks experienced a 75% increase in 2015, as well as an increase in chronic homelessness with recent counts as high as 62 individuals.
Not only is LaGrave on First a humanitarian approach, it is fiscally responsible. With the cost of chronic homelessness at $30,000-50,000 per year, per individual, this means major savings for Grand Forks. Instead of utilizing costly services like emergency room visits or incarceration, LaGrave on First provides a home and the support that has proven to improve tenancy and quality of life. Grand Forks can expect to save up to 40% on total cost of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Studies will be done to determine the community impact of having LaGrave on First.
Milestones for LaGrave on First
- Fall 2013 - The Department of Human Services encouraged Money Follows the Person to initiate Regional Meetings to address housing gaps and opportunities in their respective communities.
- Winter 2014 - The Region IV Supportive Housing Collaborative holds first monthly meeting to discuss local issues.
- January 2015 - Money Follows the Person awards GFHA, on behalf of Region IV Supportive Housing Collaborative, a grant to complete a needs analysis of the homeless population as an identified priority.
- Spring 2015 – North Dakota Consensus Council awards GFHA a grant to support administrative work related to the study and moving the project forward.
- Fall 2015 - Region IV Supportive Housing Collaborative requests that GFHA take lead in pursuing the development of a Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing Facility.
- November 2015 - Grand Forks Housing Authority awarded $350,000 Community Development Block Grant from City of Grand Forks for project site acquisition.
- December 2015 - Praxis Strategy Group study is released, confirming a need for Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing in Grand Forks.
- March 2016 - Grand Forks Housing Authority Board selects EAPC Architects Engineers; North Dakota Consensus Council awards a second grant to support preliminary professional fees associated with design.
- May 2016 - Beyond Shelter Inc. and GFHA enter into Co-Developer Agreement.
- June 2016 - Grand Forks City Council approves 6-1 motion for LaGrave Park to be used for development of Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing; Grand Forks Homes, Inc. approves motion to be General Partner of the ownership entity for project.
- July 2016 - Otto Bremer Trust provides a $150,000 grant for pre-development activities of LaGrave on First.
- Fall 2016 - GFHA secures consultation services from Corporation for Supportive Housing to assist with sustainable funding sources for the on-site services. Presentation held in Bismarck on Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First, and Medicaid opportunities.
- Winter 2016/2017 - North Dakota Housing Finance Agency awards Grand Forks Homes, Inc. substantial funds to build LaGrave on First - combined Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Housing Trust Funds just over $8.2 million. An additional $500,000 secured from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines - Affordable Housing Program and $10,000 from the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority.
- Spring 2017 - EAPC architects complete final drawings of LaGrave on First, project goes out for bid to contractors.
- Summer 2017 - Receive approval from HUD to begin construction. Project is awarded to BC Contracting, a Fargo-based general contractor.
- September 2017 - Ground breaking ceremony held with Special Remarks by Lt Governor of North Dakota, Brent Sanford; City of Grand Forks Council President, Dana Sande; Regional Director for Senator Hoeven, Tom Brusegaard; Northeast Area Director for Senator Heitkamp, Gail Hand; Executive Director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, Jolene Kline; and Chief Executive Officer of Beyond Shelter, Dan Maddler.
- Fall 2017 - Construction begins of the four story apartment complex in Downtown, Grand Forks.
- Winter 2017/2018 - BC Contracting is ahead of schedule and looking at completion of the building in July 2018.
- May 2018 - Grand Forks Homes launched the LaGrave on First Adopt-a-Unit Program, enabling community members to collaborate to provide necessity items for each unit prior to occupancy.
- August 2018 - Grand Opening ceremony and Open House held with approximately 200 attendees.
- August 2018 - First tenant moves into LaGrave on First!
- November 2018 - All 42 units of have been leased up, confirming the need for permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in our community.
What is Permanent Supportive Housing?
Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence based model used to provide individuals safe, decent, affordable housing and to offer supportive services such as case management, medical services, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and employment services all under one roof.
Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence based model used to provide individuals safe, decent, affordable housing and to offer supportive services such as case management, medical services, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, and employment services all under one roof.
What is the Housing First Approach?
Housing First is the approach endorsed by the federal government to end homelessness by offering immediate housing without preconditions or barriers to entry. The idea is that we house people based on their need for housing, provide wraparound supportive services to keep people housed, and assist with barrier resolution after housing is secured.
Housing First is the approach endorsed by the federal government to end homelessness by offering immediate housing without preconditions or barriers to entry. The idea is that we house people based on their need for housing, provide wraparound supportive services to keep people housed, and assist with barrier resolution after housing is secured.
Community Partners
This initiative has been made possible through the group effort of the Region IV Supportive Housing Collaborative, Grand Forks Homes, Inc., and the City of Grand Forks.
This initiative has been made possible through the group effort of the Region IV Supportive Housing Collaborative, Grand Forks Homes, Inc., and the City of Grand Forks.
How do I get involved?
There are many ways for you to help us fulfill our mission of ending chronic homelessness. Contact us today for updates on the LaGrave on First Project, learn ways to become involved and provide support.
Become a Partner Today!
There are many ways for you to help us fulfill our mission of ending chronic homelessness. Contact us today for updates on the LaGrave on First Project, learn ways to become involved and provide support.
Become a Partner Today!