Supportive Housing

Foundations for self-sufficiency

Being homeless is hard work. On the street, you are always searching for a place to rest; get out of the weather and trying to keep your self and possessions safe. Safe housing provides the stability needed to rebuild lives and re-establish self-sufficiency.

Impact’s Veterans Services Department provides a foundation for reclaiming lives by operating three levels of supportive housing for homeless veterans.

At the entry level, there are two programs—the Veterans Shared Housing Initiative (VSHI) and the Dual Diagnosis Program (DDX). In partnership with the US Deptartment of HUD, the VSHI Program assists veterans achieve stronger self-determination, and move toward more stable housing by improving self management and life skills, and increasing income levels,.

In the DDX program, funded by the US Dept of Veterans Affairs, veterans diagnosed with mental illness receive intensive clinical support to help them achieve and maintain functional self-management. To enter this program, veterans need a referral from the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, which must concur in the dual diagnosis. Those admitted can remain in the program for 8 to 12 months, during which time all of their attention is focused on attaining their improvement goals.

The second level of supportive housing is a mid-to-late transitional program, called HomeBase, where veterans continue their recovery and maximize their earning power. This HUD-funded program helps veterans who can work find and secure full-time employment. Veterans unable to hold a job are helped toward self-sufficiency by case managers who assure they receive the highest level of benefit income to which they are entitled. Veterans can remain in this program for up to 12 months.

The third level of transitional housing, Independence Zone, is a partnership with the US Dept of Veterans Affairs. In this unique program, the strongest graduates of the HomeBase Program are selected to mentor participants in entry and mid-stage programs. Mentors continue working on their own recovery while providing personal examples and guidance to the HomeBase and VSHI/DDX veterans. Mentors may remain in the Independence Zone program for up to 2 years.

These programs help people reclaim their lives. Harold Anderson shares the story of his journey home. (pdf)

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PEOPLE

“At 60, I thought it was about over for me. Then I came to Impact. If you are serious about getting your life on track, they have the tools you need.”

Rodney O., Mentor

IMPACT

23 percent
of America’s homeless are veterans
—US Interagency Council on Homelessness

FY 06-07 Service & Capacity Overview – Housing

142 served

Current Housing Units
24 Entry Level units
59 Mid-level units
4 Mentors

Housing in Development
32 Entry Level units
4 Permanent units