Waypoint opens 12 apartments to address need for affordable housing

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Waypoint unveiled 12 new apartments at its downtown Cedar Rapids location, an effort the organization says will help address a need for affordable housing in the area.

The units are called the Madge Phillips Apartments.

Nearly 200 people call Waypoint every day for help with housing, according to the nonprofit. There often isn’t a place for them to go right away.

“Our shelters are pretty full. So we’re not always able to place someone the same day that they call looking for shelter. It can take a little bit of time,” said Rosslen Houser, Waypoint Services Coordinated Entry Manager.

Instead, Waypoint puts people on a priority list where they wait until a housing specialist can help them find a home.

“For most clients who do have all documents in place, it’s still taking three to six months to be able to find affordable housing that fits within their guidelines,” said Caitlyn Wang, Waypoint Services Housing Specialist.

Tenants will stay about a year, paying only what they can afford for rent, while they get back on their feet.

“The main goal is to get them a home. And once they have that home, then they can move forward in their lives and really start addressing those other barriers that are happening,” said Autumn Paine, Waypoint Services CEO.

Waypoint expects tenants to move into the apartments this fall.