Shelter House - Iowa City

09/24/2026

We are thrilled to see Crissy honored at the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition's annual meeting celebrating the Coalition's 10th Anniversary. It will be a wonderful event: join us!

The Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition is proud to recognize Crissy Canganelli as the recipient of the 2026 Housing Impact Award, honoring her exceptional leadership and decades-long commitment to preventing and ending homelessness and advancing affordable housing throughout Johnson County and across Iowa.

Crissy Canganelli has dedicated nearly three decades to addressing homelessness and advancing housing solutions in Johnson County. Since becoming Executive Director of Shelter House in 1998, she has guided the organization through tremendous growth—from a single house on Iowa City’s Northside to a multi-building operation providing life-saving housing, shelter, and support to approximately 2,000 people each year.

Throughout her career, Crissy has championed data-driven and innovative approaches to preventing and ending homelessness. Her leadership has helped expand Shelter House beyond emergency shelter to a comprehensive continuum of services and housing interventions designed to meet people where they are and create pathways toward long-term housing stability.

Crissy’s impact extends well beyond Shelter House. She is a founding member and Vice President of the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County and a founding member of Iowa’s Balance of State Continuum of Care Governance Board. She has also served on the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition and the Governor-appointed Iowa Council on Homelessness, where she chaired the Policy and Planning Committee.

Crissy’s leadership, persistence, and commitment to evidence-based solutions have transformed our community’s response to homelessness and strengthened the systems and partnerships working to ensure everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Celebrate Crissy’s impact—and a decade of affordable housing advocacy—with the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition at our 10th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City.

Thursday, September 24th, 2026 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.
The Englert Theatre | Iowa City

09/23/2026

There's still time to get tickets! Join us this Friday from 5:00- 7:00 pm for BBQ Bash. Get your tickets before it's too late at shelterhouseiowa.org/bbq-bash.

We can't wait to see you!

09/21/2026

Come volunteer with us! We need helpers for this year's BBQ Bash. Set-up and tear-down crews are needed.

We have a small team, so volunteer support is crucial to make the day a success. If you'd like to be part of our set-up or tear-down crew, we would be delighted to have you.

Sign-up to volunteer today at bit.ly/shbbqbash26

09/18/2026

We’re getting so close to the annual BBQ Bash that we can smell it! Do you have your tickets yet? You won’t want to miss what we're cooking up!

Join us for a BBQ Bash packed with fun for all ages, plus a chance to win in our 50/50 raffle.

Grab tickets at https://shelterhouseiowa.org/bbq-bash/.

09/15/2026

Shelter House is proud to have brought the State's first Housing First Permanent Supportive Housing apartments to our community when we opened Cross Park Place in 2019. And we are proud to have more than doubled that capacity when we opened 501 Southgate in 2022. In the seven years since Shelter House brought this model to our community, these apartments have provided safe, stable housing to nearly 100 people exiting chronic homelessness.

Supportive Housing is a life-saving intervention that WORKS: since 2019, only one individual has exited these programs to homelessness.

We are grateful to have so much support from our community: individuals and families, local businesses, partner agencies, municipal government, and more. The need is great and there is still much work left to do.

Onward!

As the economy stiffens and housing prices soar, millions of Americans increasingly need financial reassurance. Picking up groceries and making doctor’s appointments suddenly feels like a burden. Many newly disadvantaged individuals don’t even have a roof over their heads. Although myriad issues...

09/15/2026

BBQ Bash is almost here, and we are thrilled to announce the phenomenal Marc & Brandi Janssen will be back for this year's event. This old-time string band duo is sure to entertain the whole family.

Come for the music, stay for the food. . . or come for the food, stay for the music. . . There's no wrong answer: just join us!

Tickets are still available at shelterhouseiowa.org/bbq-bash

09/11/2026

We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to pitch the Community Integrated Health Program at this year's HousingIowa Conference. This investment from the Iowa Finance Authority will bring a primary care clinic directly to folks in shelter, helping to identify and prevent declining health and addressing health challenges that often stand in the way of long-term housing stability.

09/08/2026

Dive into mouth-watering barbecue, delicious side dishes, and more during this year’s BBQ Bash! The talented pitmasters at Pop’s BBQ will be cooking up something special just for Shelter House supporters!

This event typically sells out, so get your tickets today at https://shelterhouseiowa.org/bbq-bash.

09/03/2026

Come volunteer with us! We need helpers for this year's BBQ Bash, and it is always loads of fun. Set-up and tear-down crews and food servers are needed on September 24 and 25.

Volunteer support is vital to make the day a great success.

(And volunteers will be provided a free meal. Win win!)

Sign up to volunteer today at bit.ly/shbbqbash26.

09/02/2026

Community sponsors make Shelter House's BBQ Bash possible. Sponsorships help fund our programs and general operating expenses, quite literally keeping the lights on.

Show your support today at shelterhouseiowa.org/donate or contact Jessica Field at [email protected] for more information.