Housing First Program

Helping participants develop an internal motivation for improved quality of life has been a challenge. This task requires for them a cognitive shift from survival on the streets, to functioning within societal norms and expectations. Enhancing the program's ability to facilitate this shift continues to be an ongoing process.

In July 2008, we began offering the community a new, permanent housing program for chronically homeless persons called Housing First. The program ends the cycle of homelessness and builds hope for self-sufficiency through intensive case management. Housing First serves chronically homeless individuals by connecting them to benefits, housing, employment and services. Clients of the program are able to become more independent by wrapping services around them from stable, permanent housing.

As we learn, we are making changes to the Housing First program. Thus far, these changes include not enrolling any additional custodial parent households, as households with children have proven to be challenging given the harm reduction method employed by Housing First, which is dedicated to meeting participants where they are at in terms of coping with mental health and addiction issues. Additionally, we are implementing a mandatory "payee service" for the first 6months of income for participants to assist with money management and budgeting that will increase the probability of successful money management long term.

In 2009 and 2010, we will be seeking more financial assistance for the purchase of housing units dedicated to this program. The availability of affordable housing is the key to Housing First.