History & Documents
About ARCH
We are a regional coalition covering eight parishes of Louisiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. Our mission is to ensure that everyone in Acadiana has access to safe, affordable, decent housing and that all episodes of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring.
History of ARCH
Although ARCH meetings have occurred as far back as the late eighties, ARCH began meeting on a regular basis in 1995 and submitted its first consolidated application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1997 for Homeless Assistance. At that time, the priority areas included transitional housing and supportive services. Over time, ARCH’s priorities have reflected the current needs of Acadiana, and ARCH prides itself on being not only a convener but a gap filler - responding to challenges as they arise.
History of Continuum of Care
Priority Home, The Federal Plan to Break the Cycle of Homelessness (1994) fostered the concept of a comprehensive system of services and housing options, called a “continuum of care,” to help homeless individuals and families in local communities reach independence. This system of a local network strives to fulfill these requirements with three fundamental components: emergency shelter, transitional housing with social services, and permanent housing.
ARCH is the CoC lead for eight parishes of Louisiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion.
ARCH Today
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and shelters were unable to continue operating due to virus transmission, ARCH launched a two fold approach that included homeless prevention and rapid rehousing, and thereby began offering direct services for the first time in its history. It was at this time that ARCH developed ShareHouse, and the ARCH staff rapidly expanded to include case managers, housing navigators, ShareHouse management, and administrative support.
ARCH continues to be a gap filler - seeing spaces that need to be addressed and offering solutions. We pride ourselves on working with our partner agencies, offering services and programs that complement existing work. We know that together, we will ensure that everyone in Acadiana has access to safe, affordable, and decent housing and that all episodes of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Our Commitment to Respect and Care
We understand that many of the people who reach out to ARCH are navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Stress, fear, frustration, and uncertainty can make those moments even harder. We recognize that, and we are here to help.
We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect – including the people seeking our services and the staff providing them.
We welcome questions, frustration, disagreement, and difficult conversations. What we cannot accept are threats, personal attacks, or abusive language directed at our staff.
If a conversation becomes disrespectful or disregulated, we may pause it and arrange to continue when we can communicate respectfully.
Our commitment to helping you does not change. Our commitment to treating one another with kindness and respect doesn’t change, either.
ARCH & LA-500 Documents
2022 Financial Report
ARCH Governance Charter
ARCH Bylaws
ARCH Anti-Descrimination Policy
LA-500 Membership Agreement
LA-500 Written Standards
LA-500 Coordinated Entry Policies & Procedures
LA-500 HMIS Policies & Procedures
LA-500 VAWA Emergency Transfer Policy