Community Based - Mental Health
The TLS Supported Housing Program assists individuals who are involved with mental health services in Onondaga County to access safe and affordable housing. Priority is given to individuals leaving OMH certified residential programs. The program also gives special emphasis to serving eligible persons who are homeless or are regarded as being at-risk in the community. In addition, individuals being referred to residential programs certified by the Office of Mental Health could be offered Supported Housing assistance if it were deemed an appropriate alternative by their current support network.
Funds of the program are used to address start-up needs such as: furnishings, first month's rent, minor housing rehabilitation (e.g. accessibility), and other obstacles to establishing and maintaining an independent household (e.g. utility and phone installation costs).
The primary role of the Housing Specialist is to assist eligible persons with their housing-specific needs. This involves assessing the applicants' resources (income, skills, supports) and determining what additional resources the individuals need and want to put in place in order to enhance stability and quality of life in the housing of their choice. The Housing Specialist can not assume the role of the client's primary support person. However, individuals who are referred to the Housing Program without case management or other supports will be assisted temporarily with housing-specific needs and referrals will be made to other community supports if so needed.
Supported Housing is designed to be permanent housing and is not an emergency housing program. Staff can, however, serve as a resource for people needing emergency housing services. Individuals are served on a first come, first serve basis, and referring agencies can expect a housing specialist to contact them within two weeks of receipt of the referral to set up an intake interview.
Consistent with TLS philosophy, it is the intention of the Supported Housing Program to serve people on an individual basis according to their preferences and needs.
