HOUSING FIRST
Housing First is a innovative solution to homelessness designed to provide immediate,permanent housing to the chronically homeless, partnered with wraparound social services. This national model is endorsed by the US Interagency Coalition on Homelesssness and
Chicago’s 10 year Plan to End Homelessness.
Housing First provides:
- Screening & Needs Assessment
- Emergency Services
- Crisis Intervention
- Permanent Housing
- Case Management & Community Referrals
For more information about Housing First, you can find it here:
http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/1029_file_HsngFirstPrimer.pdf
ICH PROJECTS UTILIZING HOUSING FIRST
Sanctuary Place
Located at 642 N. Kedzie Ave., Sanctuary Place provides housing to 63 women and six families. This modern campus provides much more than shelter to its residents-it offers empowerment and a community of support. Through a comprehensive program of case management, social services, and health care, we help our residents regain independence by giving them skills and tools they need to thrive and flourish. This project began in 2003.
Shelter Graduates
Housing First is a program that provides family housing in various locations across the city's south and west sides. With collaborative support of property owners and an interdisciplinary team of mental health specialists, case managers, and a nurse practitioner, the project provides housing and support services for 29 families. ICH gives these families access to medical, employment, educational, and financial services, so that they can stay housed and independent.
Interfaith Homes/Fund to End Homelessness
In August 2005, a new permanent housing initiative was launched at ICH. Funded by the City of Chicago's Department of Housing, the goal is to recruit and support faith communities, businesses, and indivduals in sponsoring a homeless family for up to one year. Through this collaborative effort, the faith community and ICH work toward the common goal of keeping the family permanently housed. ICH provides professional case management to the homeless family while providing technical assistance to the participating church, temple, or mosque community.
Casa Kirk
In December 2007, ICH began providing case management services at Casa Kirk, an affordable housing community in South Chicago. Six of our Shelter Graduates' families are housed at Casa Kirk with another 10 families recieving support services in order to maintain their housing.
Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness.
