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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.
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