WC Iowa News

The Central Iowa Shelter and Services (CISS) organization in Des Moines, Iowa’s largest homeless support organization, says giving the homeless a place to live is a critical step in the effort to save lives and prevent the spread of the virus.

CISS identified needy clients who are older than 60 and who have compromised immune systems. In a press release, Melissa O’Neil, CISS CEO, said that CISS recognized that they would have to provide housing to the people in order to keep them healthy. Thanks to some federal funding, CISS was able to find vacant apartments where their clients could take shelter and keep themselves socially distant from carriers of the virus. O’Neil said the clients have monthly incomes that will enable them to pay the rent. 

“They just needed security deposit money and help paying the first month’s rent,” she told the Des Moines Register. 

O’Neil stressed that most people do not understand that housing is health care. In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, housing is imperative–particularly with a dangerous virus, she said. 

Once the housing was secured, O’Neil said CISS took on the challenge of getting basic furniture and household necessities for the residents. Goodwill of Central Iowa and some generous individuals and nonprofits, like churches, stepped in to help.

Goodwill ran emergency donation drives at seven locations around Des Moines. Furniture and clothing was quarantined for three days to make sure that it was not contaminated before it was given to the new residents, O’Neil said. 

“Imagine being handed the keys to an apartment and all you really have are the clothes on your back,” O’Neil said. 

O’Neil said CISS is very gratified that so many Iowans stepped up to help the new residents. Donations of gently used linens, blankets, towels, dishes, pots and pans and clothing were vital to the success of the project, O’Neil said.