Publications

This section of the website provides the Publications that have been developed by OMHSAS housing consultants over the last several years in order to provide training and technical assistance to consumers, peer specialists, Mental Health Housing Specialists, policy makers, and the general public.  These publications include:

• The PA Housing Choices Newsletter

The PA Housing Choices Newsletter was been published quarterly since 1996 until Summer 2009.  Newsletters include educational articles dealing with housing needs and issues for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders such as exemplary programs, funding, fair housing, government programs, homeownership, healthcare, homelessness, providers, etc.

• FACES of Recovery: Supporting People in Housing

The FACES publication addresses the priorities and objectives set out in the OMHSAS Housing Work Group Report.  Specifically, this publication contains definitions and examples of recovery-oriented services; case studies of two counties that have recovery-oriented mental health systems; and testimonies of individuals who have participated in recovery-oriented services.

• Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless: Rural Outreach and Engagement and Housing First

The Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless illustrates the innovative and creative ways in which different agencies are pooling resources and collaborating to reach out to homeless individuals with mental illness, engage their trust, and expand their housing options.

• Hammering Out Housing Solutions: A Digest of Pennsylvania Initiatives

The purpose of the Housing Solutions Digest is to spread information about the many creative and exciting state and local efforts being undertaken to address the housing needs of people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. It is a user-friendly digest that documents current issues and trends in Pennsylvania’s attempts to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities. Descriptions of problems and solutions are supplemented with examples and contact information so that the digest can serve as an excellent resource for organizations and other groups interested in initiating or expanding housing opportunities in their communities.

• Compendium of Housing Programs In Pennsylvania: A resource for expanding affordable accessible housing for people with disabilities

The Compendium contains information on sources of funding for the development and operation of affordable, accessible housing.

• When the Law Says It’s Okay to Bend the Rules: Reasonable Accommodations

This pamphlet provides an explanation of what is regarded as a “Reasonable Accommodation” and how to request a “Reasonable Accommodation”.