History: United Housing Connections had been studying for a year the Housing First model to move homeless individuals with mental illness toward recovery. Using the model, a homeless individual does not have to give up their drinking or drug addiction before they can be accepted into the housing. However, they must follow strict tenant regulations and must agree to receive case management services once they become renters.
Challenge: Complete a two-story building consisting of 15 one bedroom apartments with common spaces using the Housing First model to provide housing for homeless individuals with mental illness.
Solution: Nehemiah CRC worked for two years with UHC to find a suitable site. The site had to be changed three times. The focus was to create a residential complex that would appear to be a typical apartment complex. There were many challenges to build in safety and monitoring systems to protect the tenants. The facility was completed in 2006 and now a second phase is completed.