The majority of the street homeless population has mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. The lack of affordable housing continues to present unique challenges for recovery. A wide range of specialized services are available, including outreach, shelter, and case management for individuals who are homeless or may have recently accepted shelter and other supportive services. These include:

• Outreach- Staff reach out to persons experiencing street homelessness, offering food, clothing, access to emergency shelter, safe havens, and entry-level residential treatment.
• Cafes- Temporary overnight safe locations/centers for the homeless, where staff assist in accessing behavioral health treatment and services and permanent supportive housing.
• Safe Havens- A temporary residence, where trained staff encourage homeless people who are reluctant to access behavioral health services, supportive housing and other necessary services.
• Chronic Homeless Drug & Alcohol Treatment Programs- Long-term (6 to 12 months) residential treatment for chronically homeless persons with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Links to permanent supportive housing are also provided.
• Housing First Teams- Outreach and Assertive Community Treatment staff (clinical staff, psychiatrist, nurse, peer supports and housing specialist) provide the highest level of support to assist chronically homeless individuals with behavioral health issues to maintain independent permanent housing.
• Health Care for Homeless- A nurse-managed physical health clinic at the Mary Howard Health Center, providing primary care, behavioral health and social services.
• Behavioral Health Support in Shelters- provides behavioral health services to people in emergency shelters, including support, testing and referrals for further treatment.
• Behavioral Health Support to Transitional and Permanent Housing- behavioral health services and support programs are offered to individuals and families who have transitioned from homelessness to transitional or permanent housing.

Homeless Resources

100K Homes Philly Campaign

From 100k Homes Philly Campaign website:

The 100,000 Homes Campaign is bringing together change agents from across the country to find homes for 100,000 of the most vulnerable and long-term homeless individuals and families by July 2013. It aims to fundamentally alter our response to chronic homelessness by giving communities concrete tools and connecting change agents with one another so no one has to innovate alone.

Visit 100kHomesPhilly.org

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For more information on behavioral health/homeless services, please contact:

Marcella Maguire, Ph.D.
Director, DBHIDS Homeless Services
215-685-5419