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Supportive HousingIntroduction Supportive Housing refers to housing which is coupled with social services such as job training, alcohol and drub abuse programs, and case managment. It is often targeted at low-income workers and populations in need of assistance such as the homeless, those suffering with mental illness or substance abuse problems, and the eldery or medically frail. - As a solution for homelessness, supportive housing addresses two key problems:
- Without housing, there is no basis from which to mitigate the factors which lead to homelessness
- Without support services, the tenant is likely to return to homelessness for the reasons that lead to their loss of housing in the first place.
Benefits Permanent Supportive Housing is a solution to a problem rather than a band-aid fix (such as a shelter.) While many of those who stay in the shelter system remain in or return to the system for extended periods of time, a much higher percentage of those who are placed in permanent supportive housing remain housed. Supportive Housing also costs significantly less than other systems where it's tenant base may reside, such as jails, hospitals, mental health facilites, and even shelters. When paired with low-income housing, government subsidies (such as section 8) and other revenue generating operations, supportive housing residences are capable of supporting themselves and even turning a profit. Limitations The inflated rental and real estate markets in many US cities makes it difficult to acquire properties suitable for conversion to supportive housing. Additionally, the initial purchase and rehabilitiaion or construction requires significant start-up capital, which is controlled by political will and the funding of corporations, individuals, and private foundations. Luckily, many city and state governments are slowly becoming aware that homelessness is a solvable problem and are committing to solutions rather than throwing more money into the shelter system or jails and hospitals. Recent "10 year plans" from many city governments have featured supportive housing prominently in their blueprint for ending homelessness. Due to the lack of permanent supportive housing (and affordable housing in general), many residences are able to be selective in choosing their tenants. While this leads to an improved quality of life for the tenants who do live there and a higher success rate, it leaves out many who are not deemed fit for residence there. This problem is being addressed by "first step" programs aimed at preparing people for residency in permanent housing. Costs - Cost Per-day, per-person in New York city
- Supportive Housing $41.85
- Shelter $54.42
- Prison $74.00
- Jail $164.57
- Mental Hospital $467
- Hospital $1185
Supportive Housing Providers In the US Internationally External Links *Corporation for Supportive Housing
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