Gateway Community Industries provides a Housing program to assist our consumers in successfully integrating into independent community living.
Making a House a Home
(Part 2 in a series)
In our last series, we discussed the community residence model and Gateway Community Industries’ many efforts to refurbish and improve the living environments that individuals live in. These are the homes we own and maintain on a personal level. However, what about those homes that are not owned by Gateway?
In both Dutchess and Ulster Counties, we also provide support services to individuals who choose to, and are able to, live in an apartment setting. They know where they want to live, they have the ability to care for their basic needs, and they have a dream for their future. To meet that housing dream, we provide Supported Housing Apartments for approximately 125 individuals in 11 communities in both counties.
Gateway staff works closely with the local Departments of Mental Hygiene as we evaluate, participate in and monitor what is called a single point of access (SPOA) system. Individual private and state providers meet monthly to review the housing needs of those in the counties. Each agency provides similar services in a variety of communities. In this way, many residential candidates can actually seek services from more than one agency. They may be able to choose from a number of offerings. While this is not always the case, we are assured that there are services for everyone.
When individuals apply for Supported Housing Apartment supports, we work carefully with the individual to determine the following: “Where do you want to live? Do you need adaptations of any type? Do you have funds to pay for the apartment? (Typically – each individual pays 30% of their gross income towards housing) Will anyone be living with you? Are you actively involved in your recovery?” This process, while summarized briefly above, is part of a comprehensive interview that allows us to know the candidate and the candidate to know what Gateway can offer and expects in return. After all, we are working to create a home for the individual of their choosing.
Upon acceptance, we search to find an apartment to meet the needs of the candidate. In some cases the individual can find their own apartment. If the rent is within fair market guidelines we will work with the person to establish a contact with the landlord and to sign the lease. Gateway encourages each person to have the lease in their name so that they can begin to establish a positive credit and housing history.
Once an apartment is identified, the fun begins! Do you remember how it felt to live in your own first home? Was it filled with used furniture from local second hand shops? Were there a few special pieces that you cherished because they had emotional value? Was it decorated in a style that represented who you were? We then work with the individual to choose their own furnishings and immediate needs. The shopping trip is eventful and fun and paid for by Gateway! One can choose different fabrics, furnishings, window coverings, and more. These personal choice items help make the house a home and are reflective of the person living there.
Success is measured in so many ways. Many times, individuals remain in their apartment for more than a year. Often, they are able to obtain other housing stipend supports and subsidies and may no longer require Gateway’s services. If a person successfully remains in their apartment for a year or more, they are able to keep all of the furnishings and the initial security deposit. These are the rewards of establishing positive community, maintaining recovery-oriented progress and managing their home. We then want individuals to choose their future. They may choose to remain in that setting… they may choose to move closer to family… they may marry, buy a home, have a child. Regardless of the option, they have taken the next step towards residential independence and have created for themselves, with supports, a home to call their own.
A note recently shared with our staff by one of the successful residents in the program relayed the message perfectly. He wrote:
“ You and your people have made me feel human, respected, free. I live in a clean home where I can be myself. I have, possibly, for the first time in my life, a chance for a future. So it is with the greatest appreciation that I give you and staff these thanks…” I could not have said it better. We wish him, and the rest of the individuals we support, the greatest of luck in their future!