Home About Us People Events Media Donations Contact Us
 
About Us
Programs & Services
Employment
Education
Wellness
Thrift Store
People
Events
Media
Donations
Contact Us
 
Housing…the first step to recovery.

When people think of their recovery, they often look ahead to the day when they can support themselves, at least partially, through a combination of employment and education. But for many people, the most urgent goal is to have a home—a safe and comfortable place to live, with access to community resources and in close proximity of friends and supportive services.

There are approximately 33,000 homeless people in the state of Connecticut, nearly half of whom have a serious mental illness. These people are homeless for a number of reasons, including addiction to drugs and alcohol, inability to live independently, and extended stays in hospitals. But the single most important cause of homelessness in Lower Fairfield County is the high cost of housing. Median gross rent in the Stamford-Norwalk area is $1,007 a month, one of the highest rates in the nation. With help from Laurel House in the form of discounted rent and federally backed rental subsidy certificates, our members end up paying an average monthly rent of only $300. For someone who receives less than $800 a month in government benefits and earnings, this is still a stretch. But with good support and a little budgeting, the dream of having a place to live can become a reality.

Although housing costs in lower Fairfield County are the biggest barrier to ending homelessness, rental subsidies alone are not enough to ensure a successful transition to community living. Equally important are supportive services, without which residents might not be able to maintain an apartment and live in the community. Through the supportive housing programs at Laurel House, members can get help with independent living skills, like cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. Other forms of support include a Food Co-op where a bag of groceries can be purchased for only $2.00, a Thrift Store for furnishing apartments and wardrobes, a Warm Line call-in service for someone to talk to on a lonely night or weekend, and a social program for recreation and enjoyment of leisure time.

Laurel House operates several housing programs, offering varying levels of support and with varying criteria for eligibility:

Supportive Housing I
Supportive housing which emphasizes the development of independent living skills; this was meant to be “transitional” housing, but some members have lived there 18 years or longer due to the unavailability of affordable alternatives.
capacity: 18
location: 6 Washington Court (Laurel House-owned)

Supportive Housing II
Supportive, “scatter-site” housing located throughout the Stamford community; this is “permanent” housing, where members may reside on an unlimited basis.
capacity: 11
location: various addresses throughout Stamford

PILOTS (Supportive Housing III)
Permanent, supportive housing for people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
capacity: 15
location: 4 & 6 Washington Court (both Laurel House owned)

Partners I
Permanent, supportive housing for people who are homeless; comes with a rental subsidy, so residents pay only one-third their monthly income for rent; property owned by Mutual Housing Association (MHA), which subcontracts with Laurel House to provide supportive services.
capacity: 13
location: 20 & 28 Fairfield Court

Partners II
Permanent, scatter-site supportive housing for people who are chronically homeless; comes with Next Step wrap-around subsidies.
capacity: 5
location: various addresses throughout Fairfield County

Next Step
Type of housing: Wrap-around rental subsidies for people who are chronically homeless to live in scatter-site housing
capacity: 12 (5 of whom are concurrently enrolled in Partners II)
location: various addresses throughout Fairfield County

The Laurel House supportive housing programs are open to active members of Laurel House. As of June 2008, there is a total housing capacity for 69 persons. For some programs, current homelessness or risk of homelessness are required for eligibility. Openings become available throughout the year, and waiting times can vary from one month to a year or longer, depending on apartment availability, support needs and homeless status.

Supportive Housing – Defining Characteristics
  • members hold leases and are accorded the full rights and responsibilities of any tenant
  • all housing is non-institutional and located in the community
  • “supportive” housing is supportive, not coercive or intrusive
  • most members share an apartment; all members have a private bedroom
  • no time limits in any of the programs, although Supportive Housing I is by definition “transitional”
  • all apartments are smoke free

To inquire about the Laurel House supportive housing program or apply for housing, contact Laurel House Housing Coordinator Rob Lockhart, or click here for more information.

 
   
Sitemap Terms of Use Copyright © 2007 Laurel House