PHOENIX, AZ – Native American Connections (NAC) opened its newest behavioral health and supportive housing campus in Phoenix today. The Patina Mountain Preserve Wellness Center and Dunlap Pointe housing community, located at 1427 E. Dunlap Ave. in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood, embraces the organization’s focus on health, housing and community.
“There is a homelessness crisis right now in Phoenix – and across the country. There’s also a community need for a caring and supportive response to substance use disorders. The colocation of Dunlap Pointe with Patina Mountain Preserve offers the opportunity to end someone’s homelessness while also providing easy access to help a resident with their substance use and behavioral health needs,” said Diane Yazzie Devine, CEO of Native American Connections.
The Wellness Center offers 48 treatment beds in an environment that incorporates traditional Native ceremonies – including talking circle and sweat lodge – in a holistic approach to healing mind, body and spirit. Dunlap Pointe provides 54 permanent supportive housing units, targeted to veterans experiencing homelessness. The projects were made possible with the support of several financing and development partners, and investments by the Gila River Indian Community and the City of Phoenix.
Governor Stephen Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community said, “One of the keys to supporting the health and wellness of Gila River community members is addressing mental health and substance use issues. The Patina Mountain Preserve Wellness Center incorporates traditional Native healing ceremonies with best practices for promoting good health. This is important work, and we are proud to support this project.”
“With this new campus, Native American Connections is providing critical support to mitigate housing and mental health issues, while helping the City of Phoenix reach its goal to reduce homelessness by providing affordable housing and treatment resources,” added Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Progressive projects like this are vital to reaching and caring for people in our community who are in desperate need of help.”
With the opening of the new Patina Mountain Preserve, NAC will increase their total number of residential treatment beds from 70 to 118, bringing annual capacity from 500 adults to 800. NAC will transition the existing Patina Wellness Center in central Phoenix to exclusively offer services to females, including pregnant women and mothers with young children. The opening of Dunlap Pointe increases NAC’s supportive housing portfolio to a total of 322 units.
