Supportive Housing for Formerly Homeless Individuals and Families in Need
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless two trends are largely responsible for the rise in homelessness over the past 20-25 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty. Persons living in poverty are most at risk of becoming homeless, and demographic groups who are more likely to experience poverty are also more likely to experience homelessness.
While the circumstances that lead to a person or family becoming homeless may vary, Mercy Housing has created a supportive housing model that combines safe, stable housing with access to support services to help the formerly homeless population find stability. Supportive housing is essential to providing program-enriched housing for families, seniors and people with special needs. Mercy Housing defines supportive housing as permanent, affordable housing that is enriched with supportive services benefiting people who have been homeless or who are at high risk for homelessness. Supportive housing offers permanent rental housing and supports for people at high risk for homelessness with an aim to end the cycle of homelessness and lift people out of poverty.
Services at Mercy Housing’s supportive housing properties are focused on the areas of housing stability, health, community building and employment.
Learn More About Resident Services
Helping Formerly Homeless Families and Individuals
Mercy Housing is striving to help formerly homeless families and individuals like Dan who spent more than 30 years of his life in the cycle of homelessness before finding Mercy Housing’s Englewood Apartments in Chicago.
“I would stay anywhere I could – abandoned buildings, parks, laundry rooms,” he said. “I was told Mercy Housing was a place that I would get real hands-on help and have all kinds of opportunities available to me.” Dan’s apartment has already made a huge impact on his life. His health has improved and he is actively involved with the community.
“Homeless people are not bad people, and with the right help, a lot of us can really make a difference.”
The lack of affordable housing is an epidemic, but homelessness is preventable. Learn how to help the formerly homeless in your community.
