Text Box: 115 West Main Street, LL ~ Columbus ~ Ohio ~ 43215 614/221-9195 ~ 614/221-9199 fax ~ www.csb.org Text Box: Supportive Housing

Answers to Common Questions
Text Box: What is supportive housing? Supportive housing is permanent rental housing linked to a range of support services designed to enable residents to maintain stable housing and lead fuller lives. Supportive housing is an alternative to more costly institutional settings. Supportive housing can help people with disabilities, seniors, families, formerly homeless people and people living with HIV and AIDS to maintain stable housing and to access the services they need. What kinds of services are provided in supportive housing? The range of services offered is flexible and depends on the needs of the residents in each development. Services can include medical and mental health care, vocational and employment services, substance abuse treatment, child care and independent living skills training. Services may be offered on-site or off-site. How is supportive housing financed? Supportive housing developments are financed by a combination of the residential rents, conventional bank loans, federal, state and local government loans or grants, and contributions from private foundations and organizations. Typically, local government contributions leverage much larger federal amounts. Will supportive housing residents be good neighbors? Yes. Supportive housing residents are carefully screened. They want to live in safe, attractive housing in good neighborhoods as much as anyone else. Residents sign leases which commit them to house rules, and management enforces those rules. Professional property management is responsive to community concerns that may arise. Will supportive housing cause traffic, noise and parking problems? No. Such problems are unlikely because the majority of residents do not own cars. Like any other development project, supportive housing proposals are reviewed in the environmental and design stages by the city’s planning commission and building department. Developments with potential impacts beyond city standards are required to mitigate (or reduce) these impacts to acceptable levels. “Good neighbor agreements” may be developed to ensure everyone’s health and safety. How is supportive housing developed? Most supportive housing residences are developed by non-profit housing developers in partnership with non-profit service providers. Many of these non-profits are local community or faith-based organizations. The local community sets the framework by its housing needs assessment, land use requirements and available funding. The community and the developer partner in a building concept, potential financing and finding available land. Often, supportive housing proposals are subject to a public review process including hearings before the planning commission. Developers may also consult with neighborhood organizations or hold community meetings to get input. How successful is supportive housing? Very successful. In contrast to their previous living situations and alternatives, most residents thrive in supportive housing. The alternatives to supportive housing ¾ crisis approaches to care, institutionalization, and repetitive short-term treatment ¾ are both less effective and more expensive. In fact, a 1999 survey of Franklin County residents shows widespread public support for comprehensive solutions ¾ like supportive housing ¾ that help end the cycle of homelessness. Will supportive housing fit into my neighborhood? Yes. Supportive housing proposals must meet all local planning code and design requirements. In fact, supportive housing already exists in virtually every community in Franklin County, including the suburbs. Because they blend in so well, you may be living near a supportive housing development and not even be aware of it. According to a 1999 poll, 86 percent of Franklin County residents agree that supportive housing for the homeless can fit in a neighborhood if it is well-designed and well-maintained. Why isn’t there more supportive housing? The primary constraint is lack of funding. Since policymakers and communities are still learning about this new model and its successful track record, neighbors or local government may raise questions or concerns about supportive housing proposals. This lack of familiarity sometimes makes it difficult and expensive to locate sites for supportive housing development.