Providing innovative solutions to those experiencing a housing crisis
Housing & Homeless Services
On any given day, there are 2,749 people who are homeless in Iowa as reported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Locally, Waypoint is a leader in helping end homelessness through multiple best practice, cutting-edge services including:
- Madge Phillips Center Shelter: providing overnight shelter, basic needs, information, referrals, one-on-one support, and skill development to women and families experiencing homelessness
- Centralized Intake: serving as the central point of contact for all households experiencing a housing crisis or seeking emergency shelter in Linn, Benton, and Jones Counties
- Coordinated Entry: a statewide homeless service system that ensures all people experiencing homelessness are quickly identified, assessed and connected to the most appropriate housing intervention led by Waypoint in Linn, Benton, and Jones County to ensure all households in this region have fair and equal access to services
- Rapid Re-Housing: helping households experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing through housing search and identification, landlord advocacy, case management, and limited financial assistance
- Homeless Prevention Services: supporting households who are at risk of enterting the homeless service system with referrals to community resources to support housing stabilization
- Tenant Academy: a nine-hour housing education course providing individuals with "certification of completion" to show reliability and knowledge to potential landlords
Leading local efforts to address housing crises
Waypoint is a unique, crucial participant in the community's network of homeless service providers, serving many roles including, but not limited to:
- Cedar Rapids' largest provider of shelter for women and families with children
- Offers the most extensive Rapid Re-Housing Program locally
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Leads the area's only Centralized Intake Program, simplifying access to services and resources for households facing housing crises
How you can help end homelessness
Join Waypoint in taking a stand to end homelessness by getting involved through the following ways:
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Host a Donation Drive: collect non-perishable food items, personal hygiene products, and new household items for Waypoint clients
- Volunteer: play an important role in connecting homeless and nearly homeless individuals with tailored services through a variety of opportunities in the Housing & Homeless Services
- Donate: make a gift to Housing & Homeless Services to empower individuals and families facing a housing crisis
If you are experiencing a housing crisis, please call Waypoint's Shelter Service Line at 319.366.7999 or call the Balence of State 24 Hour Call Center at 1.833.739.0065.
Domestic Violence Resource & Support Line
800.208.0388 -or- 319.363.2093