What We Do
Housing First
Housing First is an evidence-based, low-barrier approach to homeless services that prioritizes access to housing without restrictions, such as sobriety or minimum income requirements.
This approach is built on the belief that housing isn’t something to be “earned,” but something that every person has a right to. Further, evidence shows that access to stable housing provides the foundation needed to address higher-level needs—those factors that contribute to someone’s experiencing housing instability or homelessness in the first place.
Immediate Access to Housing:
We offer housing without preconditions, ensuring that individuals can quickly move from homelessness to stability.
Improved Outcomes:
Studies show that the Housing First model leads to better housing retention, improved health, and reduced costs to public services.
Supportive Housing
The supportive housing model combines permanent, affordable housing with access to individualized supportive services.
Our supportive housing programs are primarily designed to serve individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and individuals with documented disabilities experiencing long-term or recurring homelessness.
Of the 928 formerly homeless individuals we served in 2023, 62% were chronically homeless upon intake.
Permanent:
Participants can stay in SupportWorks housing as long as they want and need.
Affordable:
Participants pay no more than 30% of their monthly income in rent.
Services:
Participation is voluntary and customized to the needs identified by the participant themselves.
SupportWorks delivers supportive housing in two ways:
In our properties:
Affordable apartment communities we develop and manage with services available on-site.
In our scattered-site programs:
Housing partnerships with private landlords we serve with mobile case management.
Our demographics
In 2023, we served 1,672 individuals across our footprint.
640
of those individuals
live in a building
owned and operated
by SupportWorks
541
participate in a
scattered-site
program
491
are served through
Supportive Services
for Veteran Families
Some other key demographic information to know about our formerly homeless residents and participants:
Most have a disability
60% mental health / substance use
36% physical
Most are older
80% are over 45
Most are black
70% black
25% white
5% other
9% are veterans
Most are male
63% male
36% female
1% other
Move On
Our ultimate goal is to help those we serve regain stability and independence. For many, the final step in their journey is moving out of SupportWorks housing and into housing of their own. Our Move On program supports this transition, creating individualized plans to prepare them to move out of supportive housing and live independently.
These plans include securing housing vouchers and/or income to pay for rent and utilities, identifying housing that meets their needs in terms of location or amenities, and building social support systems. Services are provided for up to a year after moving out, which helps ensure that the transition into stable, independent housing is sustainable and successful.
Through Move On, we can support residents in their journey back to independence while opening units of supportive housing for individuals still experiencing homelessness.