Co-Directors Selected to Lead Scattered-Site Housing Program
May 4, 2022
Contact:
Tyler Hough
(815) 579-0867
though@chicagohouse.org
CHICAGO, IL – Today, Chicago House and Social Service Agency announced the promotion of Krista Sanders, LCSW, MPH, and Garrett White, MA, MSW, to co-directors of the agency’s Scattered-Site Housing Program in response to the growth of this community-based housing program.
The Scattered-Site Housing Program provides independent living solutions in subsidized rental units across the Chicagoland area for individuals and families impacted by HIV. In addition, residents in the SSH Program are connected to additional Chicago House services, including case management, pharmacy, employment and legal services. Long-time Director Avi Rudnick, Esq., MSW, led the SSH Program since 2017 and ushered in transformative growth to the program that now includes nearly 250 units of housing.
“I'm looking forward to my role as one of the Co-Directors of Scattered-Site Housing because housing is a human right and is an essential part of overall health and wellbeing,” said Sanders, “I am committed to continuing to support clients and staff by following Chicago House's values of trauma informed care and harm reduction.”
Sanders joined Chicago House in 2019 and has held roles with increasing responsibility, most recently overseeing the agency’s Housing Means Everything (HOME) Program—an innovative housing program focused on HIV prevention, including linkage to PrEP and employment. Sanders holds a dual master’s degrees in public health and social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Chicago House operates under the Housing First approach and believe a stable home is an essential foundation in reaching and maintaining positive health outcomes and greater well-being. Housing case managers focus on building tenancy skills and economic stability, as well as improving physical and mental health.
“As I accept this new level of responsibility for the agency’s clients and staff, I am reminded of what grounds me in this work: understanding housing as a human right and as a form of healthcare; the importance of human relationships; and the value of harm reduction and trauma-informed care.” said White. “Chicago House has been here since the beginning of the HIV epidemic and has continued efforts since then to meet the evolving needs of communities, and I am privileged and grateful to witness said efforts continue.”
White joined the SSH Program after completing his master’s degree in public policy at Adler University in 2016 and most recently, led the program as Housing and Outreach program manager. White also holds a master’s of social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennesee at Chattanooga.