Supportive housing Monarch Apartments has positive impact in first few months after opening

Yahoo

3 days ago

DES MOINES, Iowa — Anawim Housing broke ground on a supportive housing site at the old Days Inn off of Merle Hay Road in 2023, and in the spring of 2025, it finally saw its first residents.
To live at the Monarch Apartments, residents must have experienced long-term homelessness and a form of disability. The one- and two-bedroom apartments come furnished, which includes furniture, bedding, towels, and kitchen utensils.
These units act as a next step toward normal housing, meaning residents follow regular rental rules. Anawim says giving the residents guidelines and structure is vital.
'Trying to get them acclimated to the apartment, the expectations, the lease, you know, the rules of the lease, things like that, getting them to trust the live-in staff in my absence,' said Margo Miller, Monarch Apartment Senior Program Manager.
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The live-in staff are two tenants who have previous shared experiences and now provide guidance to new residents. On-site staff says residents have already grown and bonded in the first few months.
'I see people, you know, eat together, go knock on each other's apartment and be like hey you want some pizza, you know, I mean different things like that, or they'll have extra things they want to donate, and they want to share and seeing them build that community,' said Latisha Williams, one of the Monarch live-in staff.
Residents at Monarch have worked with Anawim and health services previously and still receive help, but staff say some still struggle. Anawim says the live-in staff and supportive housing are what benefit residents the most.
'Even the days that are not so good, I wouldn't necessarily call them bad days. Those are days of growth where we can meet people right where they're at and then maybe help point them in the direction that takes them away from whatever problem it is that they're having,' said Angela Cabrera, one of the Monarch live-in staff.
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During their time, residents will take part in communal meals, schedule social activities, and work on personal goals. This helps them gain stability and independence.
'Ideally in three years, maybe some of these people will be so stable that they don't need single supported housing anymore, you know, that they can move out, buy their own house, rent a different unit, whatever so we can bring more people,' said Miller.
Half of the Monarch's residents moved in in March, the other half are expected to move in in the coming months.
Anawim is hopeful that the Monarch and its residents will flourish and possibly become a model for future supportive housing projects.
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