County Housing Planning Documents

OMHSAS requires all Pennsylvania counties to develop a County Mental Health Housing Plan. Plan requirements include:

• The description of housing activity that seeks to utilize HealthChoices Reinvestment, Community Hospital Integration Program Project (CHIPP) or Base Funds;
• The identification of a priority group most in need of permanent housing by age, type of disability/need or other designation. This priority group must include the housing needs of persons currently being served in state psychiatric hospitals.
• The approval of OMHSAS.

Mental Health Housing Plan Documents

The following documents include the Template for the County Housing Plan and supporting documents.

• OMHSAS’ County Mental Health Housing Plan Template

• OMHSAS Housing Plan: OBJECTIVES

• Appendix 1 to Housing Plan Template: Summary of strategies for using Mental Health funding streams

• Outline for rationale for choosing priority populations

• Sample document:  Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health, Affordable Housing Reinvestment Plan

CRR Conversion Documents

In an effort to embrace a recovery-oriented approach, OMHSAS has created a template for conversion of Community Residential Rehabilitation Services (CRR) to insure that conversion of group homes to supported housing or housing support services is completed in a thoughtful and planful manner.  Although counties are not required to convert existing CRR facilities to supported housing options, many are requesting to do so as a result of transitioning their services and service philosophy to one supporting recovery.

• Community Residential Rehabilitation Services Guidance

• OMHSAS CRR Conversion Template

• Sample documents from Cumberland and Perry Counties’ CRR Conversion:
  • Cumberland and Perry Counties CRR Conversion Document
  • Cumberland and Perry Counties Vision, Mission and Goal Statements
  • New Visions, Inc. Corporate Mission Statement and Statement of Values
  • New Visions Interview Form

• Sample document from Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata Counties’ CRR Conversion:
  • Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata Mental Health Housing Presentation

Resource Materials for Planning

• The Housing Development Process

• Financing and Funding Resources