Supportive Housing...

The Supportive Housing Program (SHP) is the heart and soul of Housing Group's Continuum of Care.

When a client family moves into a shelter (SHP site), they are often taking the firsts steps on a journey which will alter their lives in a positive and real way.

Almost all of our client families are single mothers with children although that is not a requirement to access our programs. With a combination of client-centered case management, purposeful planning and community support Housing Group works to strengthen and empower families to overcome barriers they will certainly face as they try to acquire permanent housing.

Housing Group opened the first emergency shelter program in the county in 1980 with funds approved by the Office of Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG).

Housing Group presently operates five supportive housing programs with shelters located in:

Bensalem (this shelter is a partnership with St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne PA),

Doylestown

Milford Square (formerly the EQPP shelter),

Morrisville

Penndel.

The term "supportive housing" reflects the intensive case management and comprehensive social services clients receive in conjunction with housing while residing in our shelters.

The program is a second-step referral program and referrals are accepted from the American Red Cross Shelter in Levittown, A Woman's Place (domestic violence shelter) and the Bucks County Children and Youth Agency. There is normally a waiting list for supportive housing services that may be as long as six months.

The families we serve have very limited resources but have an incredible sense of determination. Housing Group's collaborative approach of case-management encourages the client to access those inner resources in order to change their lives. Almost all of our client families are single mothers with children, although that is not a requirement to access our programs.

It all begins when a family enters one of the shelters. Housing Group case managers immediately begin to collaborate with families to reach their specific goals. Each client family (usually a single mom) meets with a case manager on an individual basis to develop a plan of action with a goal of permanent housing and to create a budget that will make that goal realistic. The staff does not dictate the process or the goal; each plan is designed to fit the individual family. Additionally, each client discusses and develops an employment and education plan which will enable them to become economically self-sufficient.

Housing Group is committed to giving each client family the tools and opportunities to transform their lives.

Housing Group Supportive Housing Program is unique in several ways:

The program only serves families with children (from birth to 18 years of age) and does not provide services to single adults or couples.

It is not a short-term emergency service but rather is a long-term program whose goal is to secure permanent housing and self-sufficiency.

Finally, the shelter sites do not offer the typical dormitory-style shelter housing (with the exception of the Milford Square site); they provide an individual apartment for each family in order to promote independence, privacy and family life.

The Housing Group's five locations can accommodate up to twenty-five families at any given time. Each family's typical length of stay in the program is about six months.

Each shelter unit is fully furnished and equipped with all items necessary for daily living. This includes linens, kitchen household items, a telephone, and a television.

During their stay and as the plans each family makes begin to unfold, preparations are made to move out of the shelter and into individual housing. The Supportive Housing Program is the first step in Housing Group¹s Continuum of Care- to learn more follow the red arrows- see what the journey is like- one step at a time.

While families are living at the shelters support from the community is essential; in fact, community participation makes a profound difference.

Interactions between volunteers and shelter residents ease the feelings of isolation homelessness and poverty can create. The first shelter in Penndel opened because community members recognized the growing problem of homelessness and initiated action. That same level of community involvement and passion is still important to Housing Group and the families we serve.

Housing Group covers the larger costs: rent, utilities and helps clients focus on going forward; we count on community member to cover those "extras" which are only extra if you are very poor: clothing, food and transportation. Community support of any kind sends a message to the families we serve that they mattert - hat they are part of a community and that homeless is not WHO they are - it is just a challenging step in their journey.

If you are interested in volunteering at one of the shelters, please visit our VOLUNTEER page for all the information you need. IF you are interested in donating, please visit our DONATION page.