About, Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives (AHHA):
http://ahha-humco.org/
“Safe Warm and Dry First!”
AHHA-HumCo Vision Statement:
Everyone has a human right to a safe and legal place to live. AHHA-HumCo Mission Statement:
AHHA’s provides information, education, advocacy and policy development for affordable housing with the homeless in Humboldt County. AHHA facilitates implementation of models and assists in operations with community groups. AHHA Guiding Principles:
* Everyone has the right to Safe, Legal Shelter with Dignity and Respect.
* Being “Safe, Warm and Dry First!” is a required condition, to achieve a healthy, productive life.
* The whole community benefits when everyone feels safe and respected.
* A healthy community provides opportunities for those less fortunate and shares its resources…
* The lack of affordable housing is the main cause of homelessness.
*The definition of affordable housing needs to change to reflect the needs of the houseless and unsheltered. Alternative affordable housing options give houseless people choices and create less impact on Humboldt County.
* County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) could be more effectively distributed by implementing a variety of housing options proven to be successful in other areas.
*Participants in these alternative options would be more self-sufficient.
*AHHA will continue to declare a “Shelter Crisis” using CA Code 7.8 Section 8698-8698.2. “Declaration of a shelter crisis” means a significant number of persons are without shelter, resulting in a threat to their health and safety.” [CA Govt Code § 8698 (d)]
AHHA Goals include developing a variety of affordable homeless housing alternatives:
* Resident and Non-profit Co-Managed Micro Housing Villages with community kitchens, gardens, rest-rooms/showers and micro-businesses.
* Campgrounds throughout the county, located near to services.
* Camp sanctuaries for cars, in tents, in RVs, open tent camping, and bike and ride.
* Church camping in tents, cars, RVs. Zoning variances to allow residential camping and micro housing on residential, city and county properties. Foreclosures and land trust opportunities.
* Rest Areas; places for legal, safe sleep, open 24/7.
*Locations in County and City parks, schools, vacant buildings, and private property.
* Hygiene Stations: showers, restroom, water, waste disposal and lockers.
* Youth Camps, Farm-Worker Housing and Nomadic Campgrounds
*Active engagement of our community and organizations to build strong, collaborative Working Groups, successful, and community coalitions that create housing/shelter alternatives for homeless and maximize affordable housing options. The AHHA General Assembly meets First Saturday of the month
11:30 am social gathering; Noon to 2:00 pm. HOW we work together is as important as WHAT we create in working together. We are striving to be and to develop collaborative individuals and communities as we build affordable homeless housing alternatives. All are welcome to join us. AHHA is made up of a Board of Directors, Working Groups/Committees who work with each other and the larger Humboldt community on selecting sites, outreach, fundraising, media and reaching our goals, whether longer term or more short term, like creating sanctuary camps and micro housing villages.
