Walk Held to Site of 'Little Houses' Project

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Created on Tuesday, 12 November 2024 15:53

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By CATHY LI
Special to the Sentinel
Sitka Homeless Coalition held a community walk up Jarvis Street Saturday morning to the future location of Sitka’s first permanent supportive housing development.
The project is called Hítx’i Sáani, or “little houses” in Tlingit. It will provide 12 living units — each with a bed, bathroom, kitchenette and electric heating — at the end of Jarvis Street, housing individuals experiencing homelessness and helping connect them to other supportive services.

Members of the Sitka Homeless Coalition and allies pose for a photo at the site of Hítx’i Sáani or “little houses,” at the end of Jarvis Street, Saturday.
(Photo by Cathy Li)

The walk gave more than a dozen locals an opportunity to meet SHC staff and receive updates on the project, in addition to seeing the construction site themselves.
“I felt swelled with pride, listening to these folks talk about [Hítx’i Sáani]. Hearing about how far we’ve come and being able to see the groundwork that’s been done is very exciting,” Board Chair Amanda Roberts said. “It just makes me feel so much pride to see such compassionate people, who I get to work with in my hometown, to make a difference.”
The site is connected to city water and sewage infrastructure and currently is undergoing underground utilities installation. When it comes time for the second community walk on Dec. 28,  the coalition hopes more above-ground construction will be visible.
The walks are held as part of SHC’s annual Shelter Sitka fundraiser, a two-months-long campaign during November and December to raise money for its services, from a showers and laundry program to an emergency shelter that will operate in the winter. This year, the fundraising goal is $25,000.
“We’re so appreciative of the support that we’ve seen from everyone in the community. We’re so lucky to have people [who] understand how important it is to have a warm and safe place,” Executive Director Andrew Hinton said. “What we’ve seen, and what we continue to see, is just overwhelming support.”
Hítx’i Sáani officially began in 2021, though it stemmed from another initiative in 2018, building supportive housing for elders specifically. SHC is aiming to complete the project in September 2025.
“My personal value is human dignity. If we’re not going to respond to housing or shelter for a certain person, we’re not valuing their dignity,” said United Methodist Church Pastor Bennie Grace Nabua, who volunteered space in her church for the emergency shelter this winter. “That’s why I volunteer [with SHC]. Doing everything we can to be a part of efforts to provide shelter is actually uplifting a person’s worth and a person’s dignity.”