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The Next Step Approach
The Problem
- Between one-half and three-quarters of the homeless persons at Durham's
Shelter for Hope have a mental illness.
- 65% of those with a mental illness live as dependents with parents or
other family.
- 90% of those with a mental illness want to live in an apartment or house
of their own.
What are the Barriers?
- For many, their only source of income is a government disability check,
which pays $530
per month.
Average rent for a efficiency apartment in Durham is $560 per month.
The Durham mental health center has less than 100 housing placements with rent
subsidies for an estimated 2,500 persons who are in need of housing..
The First Next Step Building
Project
- Establish a non-profit organization dedicated to building affordable
housing for adults with mental illness in Durham and develop a pilot program.
- As the first project, develop a complex of 12 efficiency apartments that
rent to adults with mental illness for $160 per month, a reasonable proportion
of their income.
- Locate the apartment complex one block from Threshold Clubhouse, so
residents can participate in this program of rehabilitation.
- Provide a part-time on-site case manager for apartment residents, to be
shared with Threshold Clubhouse
.
Benefits of On-site
Supportive Services
- These 12 apartments will be the only living quarters in Durham County with
regular on-site case management to provide needed support, teach skills and
help prevent relapse. With this support, some prospective tenants will be able
to move out of a rest home, saving the state about $450 per month.
- The support services manager will work directly with apartment residents.
This regular contact will offer opportunities to work out many problems,
including medication, shopping or
transportation
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