Permanent Supportive Housing

---

What is permanent supportive housing?

Am I eligible?

What benefits will I get?

What are the costs?

How do I apply?

Useful links

What is permanent supportive housing?

Permanent supportive housing is affordable rental housing with support services for low-income or homeless people with severe mental illness, substance abuse, or HIV/AIDS. Some support services are offered in the home, and some are offered outside the home.

There are different types of permanent supportive housing, including furnished single room occupancies (SROs), group homes, subsidized Section 8 apartments, and shared living arrangements.

Permanent supportive housing programs are run by:

• Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), for people with mental illness
• Department of Public Health (DPH), for people with chronic medical problems (including HIV/AIDS)
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS), for people with intellectual disabilities.

Am I eligible?

Different supportive housing programs have different eligibility requirements. In general, permanent supportive housing is for people who:

• are low-income or homeless
• have severe mental illness, a substance abuse problem, or HIV/AIDS
• have a long-term condition, that has lasted (or will last) more than a year
• are covered by MassHealth and/or Medicare
• have a referral from the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Developmental Services, or the Department of Public Health (some programs allow self-referral)
• are residents of Massachusetts
• are 18 or older

What benefits will I get?

Permanent supportive housing offers two main benefits:

• safe, low-cost long-term housing in the community, and
• support services to help residents live healthy, independent lives.

In permanent supportive housing, you will sign your own rental agreement and pay your own rent. Someone will help you find an apartment, move into it, and furnish it. Generally, you may stay in permanent supportive housing as long as you pay the rent and follow the rules.

Support services depend on the needs of the residents, but usually include health care, education, independent living skills, social support, transportation, 24-hour emergency services, referrals, and job training programs. Your case manager will work with you to develop an independent living plan and get the support services that you need

What are the costs?

Permanent supportive housing programs offer rent subsidies. You pay no more than 30% of your income for housing. Case management and support services are included at no additional cost.

How do I apply?

Most individuals and families who apply for permanent supportive housing have a referral from a transitional housing program, a homeless shelter, or the Department of Mental Health (DMH) or other state agency. If you are in one of these programs, your case manager can give you a referral if you are eligible.

If you do not have a referral, you may apply for permanent supportive housing on your own.

• Your local Community Health Center will be able to tell you the name and telephone number of agencies in your area that offer supportive housing programs. To find a Massachusetts Community Health Center near you, use the Find a Health Center search tool or call the Massachusetts Community Health Center Patient Referral Line at 1-800-475-8455.

• The DHCD's Bureau of Federal Rental Assistance at 617-573-1150 has information about Shelter Plus Care supportive housing throughout Massachusetts. The Shelter Plus Care Program offers subsidized housing with support services to homeless families and individuals with mental illness, substance abuse problems, HIV/AIDS, and other disabilities.

• For people with HIV/AIDS, the Massachusetts AIDS Housing Program Search by the AIDS Housing Corporation gives detailed information about housing programs available in Massachusetts. You may also call the AIDS Housing Corporation at 617-927-0088 for assistance.

• If you are homeless and have chronic mental illness, you may call the Center for Mental Health Services at 1-800-789-2647.

• If you are a homeless single adult with a substance abuse problem, you should call your local Salvation Army to see if they have a supportive housing program in your area. See the online list of Massachusetts Salvation Army Service Centers or call 617-542-5420 x510 for help.

Useful links

These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.

1. AIDS Housing Corporation
   AIDS Housing Corporation provides information about housing programs in Massachusetts and other New England states for people living with HIV and AIDS. Includes the Massachusetts AIDS Housing Program Search. 

2. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts
   The Bridge is a private, nonprofit human service agency that serves children and adolescents with serious emotional, behavioral, and family problems, as well as adults with mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse challenges. Includes a list of Supported Housing Programs.

3. The Community Housing Program
   The Community Housing Program offers permanent subsidized housing with support services to families in early recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction in central and western Massachusetts.

4. Genesis Housing Programs
   Genesis Club offers supportive housing in four different housing programs.

5. Massachusetts Department of Mental Health
   The DMH web site offers information about mental health services available to adults, adolescents, and children in Massachusetts. Includes a Directory of DMH Offices in the state.

6. McKinney Shelter Plus Care Program
   The Shelter Plus Care Program offers subsidized housing with support services throughout Massachusetts for residents with disabilities.

Permanent Supportive Housing section last updated on 4/29/10