Frequently Asked Questions

As a consulting group, we “fill the gaps” for community-based projects working to address homelessness and housing. We provide or find the missing expertise and resources, which may vary by project. We compliment, not duplicate, the work of others in our community.

Our work is divided into four main categories- research, partnership, project management and advocacy. Visit our services page to learn more about each of the specific services we offer.

We collaborate with a diverse variety of clients working to address homelessness-governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups and individuals. We prioritize projects which benefit vulnerable populations (single adults or families experiencing mental health challenges, aging adults, the chronically homeless, child welfare involved families, formerly incarcerated individuals, youth without families and/or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities) AND projects which support equitable development of communities.

There are several setbacks in building a community where everyone has a safe place to call home. People experiencing homelessness are not a homogenous group of individuals. Their reasons for experiencing homelessness are complex and their barriers in ending their homelessness are often compounding.

People with complex issues require an interdependent, orchestrated continuum of care. The most vulnerable people struggle to navigate the intricacies of the homeless services system on their own.

• There aren’t enough shelter beds to accommodate the growing unsheltered population.
• Many shelter struggle to adequately address the deeply-rooted mental and emotional needs of clients.
• Once people are housed, there is a high rate of individuals who return to homelessness due to a lack of services addressing the social determinants of health (SDOH), a sense of isolation from community resources and previous relationships, and a lack of dignity.
• There is a lack of enough affordable and transitional housing.

For providers, builders, funders and stakeholders with an interest in ending homelessness, the problem is that individuals with a will to end homelessness often lack the capacity and resources to spearhead, implement and report on creative solutions to homelessness.

For communities as a whole, the problem is that well-intentioned developers and providers do not always center racial equity in their planning and community development. This can lead to displacement, gentrification and a lack of understanding about the cultural and social context of the neighborhood they’re entering. Additionally, meaningful community engagement is often treated as an appendage when it should be a core practice. Decision making should include a diversity of voices and experiences to ensure racial equity and inclusion.

From the Ground Up (FGU) is a new organization established in 2021. Ash Uss is the Executive Director of this new LLC and will partner with diverse organizations, individuals and governmental entities as a consultant.

Our mission statement is: Leveraging the power of community relationships, we collaborate with individuals and organizations to propose, design and implement compassionate responses to homelessness from the ground up.

Flexibility: With an intentionally broad mission, we are flexible to be able to meet the ever-changing, unique needs of each community, organization, or governmental entity. We are different than other organizations in our ability to ask the question, “What can we do to help your community thrive?” We can help design, launch and find funding for creative tiny home communities or we can partner with your organization to host focus groups to understand how safe clients feel in your shelter.

Creativity: Because we are free from some of the traditional barriers that a traditional non-profit organization may work within, we have a unique ability to take risks and try things that haven’t been done before.

Equity: This project is committed to being attentive and thoughtful about racial equity issues within prospective locations for development of shelter and housing. We implement an equitable development framework as defined by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity(GARE) to reduce disparities and achieve equitable outcomes for marginalized populations.

Advocacy: Our Executive Director, Ash Uss, is more than a service provider. She is more than a researcher. She is an advocate for a diverse set of issues which impact housing insecurity and homelessness. From the Ground Up is committed to showing up for other organizations and individuals whose missions intersect with ours. We recognize the connection between local politics and homelessness. This work is intersectional.

We are funded through payment for the services we provide to our partners. Our consulting rate is flexible based on the capacity and needs for each prospective partner.

Intentional collaboration is the root of our efforts. We work closely with a sterring committee that includes St. Vincent de Paul, Gellert Health and the Garcia Family Foundation. We are still finalizing a talented Advisory Council to provide feedback, resources and accountability. Our current initatives involve partnerships with Community Bridges Inc., the City of Phoenix, AHCCS, ASU Action Nexus and many more.