Definition of Permanent Supportive Housing
Definition of Permanent Supportive Housing
Supportive housing is a successful, cost-effective combination of affordable housing with services that helps people live more stable, productive lives. Supportive housing works well for people who face the most complex challenges—individuals and families who have very low incomes and serious, persistent issues that may include substance use, mental illness, and HIV/AIDS; and may also be homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
A supportive housing unit is:
- Available to, and intended for a person or family whose head of household is experiencing mental illness, other chronic health conditions including substance use issues, and/or multiple barriers to employment and housing stability; and my also be homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- Where the tenant pays no more than 30%-50% of household income towards rent, and ideally no more than 30%;
- Associated with a flexible array of comprehensive services, including medical and wellness, mental health, substance use management and recovery, vocational and employment, money management, coordinated support (case management), life skills, household establishment, and tenant advocacy;
- Where use of services or programs is not a condition of ongoing tenancy;
- Where the tenant has a lease or similar form of occupancy agreement and there are not limits on a person’s length of tenancy as long as they abide by the conditions of the lease or agreement; and
- Where there is a working partnership that includes ongoing communication between supportive services providers, property owners or managers, and/or housing subsidy programs.
Supportive Housing is:
- Safe and Secure
- Affordable to consumers
- Permanent, as long as the consumer pays the rent and honors the conditions of the lease.
Supportive Housing is linked to support services that are:
- Optional. People are not required to participate in services to keep their housing, although they are encouraged to use services
- Flexible. Individualized services are available when the consumer needs them, and where the consumer lives.