Cynthia Latcham, president of affordable housing organization Anawim Housing, to step down

Yahoo! News - Apr 21st, 2025

Cynthia Latcham, the president of Anawim Housing, Iowa's largest permanent supportive housing provider, has announced her resignation, with her last day set for September 30. During her twelve-year leadership, Latcham was pivotal in advancing Anawim's mission to provide safe and affordable housing for the chronically homeless, including projects like The Monarch Apartments, which converted a former hotel into permanent supportive housing. Her departure marks the end of a transformative era for the organization, with a search for her replacement already underway.

Latcham's leadership has been instrumental in addressing housing needs for vulnerable populations in Des Moines, positively impacting countless households. Despite her departure, the organization's board, led by Dan Manning, remains optimistic about Anawim's future, highlighting Latcham's legacy in operation and fundraising. The transition period presents an opportunity for Anawim to reflect on its successes and challenges, especially in light of ongoing financial constraints and the pressing demand for more housing units to support the homeless community in Des Moines.

Homelessness Des Moines Cynthia Latcham Anawim Housing Supportive Housing Leadership Change

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and timely account of Cynthia Latcham's departure from Anawim Housing, highlighting her contributions and the organization's ongoing mission. While the story is generally accurate and well-written, it could benefit from additional perspectives and independent verification of certain claims. The focus on leadership transition is relevant and of public interest, particularly for those concerned with housing and social services. However, the article's potential impact and engagement could be enhanced by incorporating more comprehensive data and diverse viewpoints. Overall, the story is a solid piece of reporting that effectively communicates key information about a significant organizational change.

Accuracy

The story's accuracy is generally high, with several factual claims that align well with known data about Anawim Housing. Cynthia Latcham is indeed the president of Anawim Housing, and her planned departure is consistent with organizational announcements. The description of Anawim Housing's mission and the Monarch Apartments project aligns with the organization's goals and past projects. However, the story does not provide independent verification of Latcham's exact tenure length or the current status of the Monarch Apartments project, which are areas that could benefit from further confirmation.

Balance

The article provides a balanced perspective by including quotes from both Cynthia Latcham and Dan Manning, offering insights into both the past achievements and future outlook of Anawim Housing. However, the story could be more balanced by incorporating perspectives from other stakeholders, such as residents of Anawim Housing or community members impacted by its projects. The focus is primarily on the leadership transition, which may omit broader community and organizational impacts.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the main points of the story. The language is straightforward, and the quotes are well-integrated into the narrative. However, the article could benefit from more context about the impact of Anawim Housing's projects on the community, which would provide a fuller understanding of the organization's significance.

Source quality

The primary source of information is a news release from Anawim Housing, which is a credible but potentially biased source, as it represents the organization's perspective. The article could benefit from additional sources, such as interviews with external experts or community members, to provide a more comprehensive view. The reliance on a single source limits the depth of the reporting and the potential for uncovering new insights.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its use of direct quotes and attribution to specific individuals, such as Cynthia Latcham and Dan Manning. However, it lacks detailed information about the methodology used to gather additional data or verify claims. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which is an area for improvement to enhance transparency.