Supportive Housing

Individual smiling on couch and happily living in supportive housing.

Supportive Housing is your opportunity to live in a home that feels right for you.

It is often in an apartment building or community setting, where you may have neighbors nearby—down the hall, next door, or on your street. That means you are part of a community with people from many different backgrounds.

You can choose where you live, with whom (if anyone), and how your home looks and feels. Supportive Housing also means you have the right amount of help to stay safe, comfortable, and successful in your new apartment. The goal is to support your independence and make sure you get the help you want when you need it.

Supportive Housing and provider supports are available as needed. In Supportive Housing you stay in charge of your home, your money, and your personal decisions. Staff are available to help you adjust, learn new skills, and solve problems.

Learn about supportive housing, rental assistance, and staff support to meet your needs.

Individual playing checkers and living happily in supportive housing.

Staff Support and Schedules

Staff support is flexible and based on your needs, with schedules that can change to fit your routine rather than everyone following the same schedule. You do not have staff with you all the time. Staff only come to your home during the times that are planned with you and agreed upon. It is available at other times as needed. You decide, with your team, what support you need, when, and how this support is provided.

You work with staff to plan your support schedule and make sure you:

  • Can talk about what is important to you, what you want to work on, and what support you need 
  • Understand what help is available 
  • Work together to decide how and when this help will be provided 
  • Know what the staff can do to help you, and that support can be adjusted over time based on what works well, and what you would like to change
  • Can include family members, guardians, or other trusted people if you would like
Individuals discussing supportive housing with family and support staff.

Who is involved?

In Supportive Housing, you have a team that includes different people who work together to help you be safe, comfortable, and confident in your home and community. You choose who you want to be part of your team. 

  • You are the center of your team. Your choices, preferences, and needs guide the supports you receive.
  • Your case manager helps you plan your housing and identify your goals. They check in to make sure your supports are working well, help your team (like family, guardians, and providers) communicate, and help solve problems if something isn’t going right.
  • If you have a guardian, they are there to support you, help you make decisions, and solve problems when you need help.
  • Staff help you feel comfortable, confident, and safe where you live. They support you with daily tasks, safety, and with any skills you want to develop or improve.
  • Your landlord or property manager looks after the apartment building. They make sure your apartment and the building are in good repair and that things like the stove, lights, plumbing, and doors work properly. The landlord also handles the lease and collects rent each month. A lease is an agreement between you and the landlord. It lists details about renting the apartment.
  • Family members or other important people in your life may be part of your team if you want them to be.
  • Other helpers, such as doctors, nurses, job coaches, therapists, or other specialists, may also be part of your team if you choose. They provide the help and support you may need, like health care, therapy, or helping you learn new skills. They work together with staff, case manager, family and guardian to make sure your needs are met, support your independence, and help you stay safe.

You decide who joins your team. They are there to help you make decisions, and to make sure your home is safe.

Responsibilities

While living in your home, you are responsible for keeping your home safe, clean, and organized. Responsibilities are the things you agree to do when you choose to live on your own.

To do this, you are responsible:

  • To pay your rent on time according to your lease agreement.
  • To follow the rules in the lease you sign. This includes what you must do if you decide you want to move out of the apartment.
  • To be a good neighbor by treating them with respect.
  • To keep you home safe and clean, including cleaning regularly, properly storing food and waste, and reporting any damages.
  • To let staff know when you need help or support, including when you have questions or are unsure of what to do.
  • To use your home and shared areas responsibly, taking care of the space and helping to keep it safe.
  • To follow safety rules, such as using appliances properly, locking your door, and not blocking exits.
  • To take care of your belongings, including clothing, furniture, and personal items, and keeping them organized and safe.

Process

Step 1: Talk with your Case Manager – You will meet with your case manager, your family or guardian (if you have one), and your support team about what supportive housing is, what you want in a home, and what supports you may need. They can help to answer your questions and talk with you about whether Supportive Housing might help you reach your goals.

Step 2: Referral – If you and your team agree that you want to try Supportive Housing, your case manager sends your information to the supportive housing provider to get the process started.

Step 3: Getting to know you – The supportive housing provider will look at your information to see if the program is a good fit for you. They will meet with you and your team to learn more about what is important to you, what your goals are, and supports you need. This helps make sure the program can support you to live successfully in your new home.

Step 4: Planning – If the provider thinks that this Supportive Housing setting can meet your wants, needs, and goals, they will work with you and your team to create a plan that is just for you. This plan will include the type of apartment you want to live in, what is important to you, and what kinds of help you may need to live safely and comfortably. You will have a chance to share your goals, your likes and dislikes, and any concerns you may have. The provider and team will support you through the process.

Step 5: Paperwork needed to get started – After you, your case manager, your team, and the provider agree to move forward with Supportive Housing, you will complete an application and other paperwork described below, with help if needed.

Application

The application is the document you fill out to show you’re interested in an apartment and to give more information about yourself. The provider will help you apply for the apartment. This step includes sharing required information and documents so that you can be considered for an apartment.

Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Certificate

Rental Assistance is a program that can help pay for some of your rental costs. The provider will talk with you about the program and help you apply for the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), guiding you through each step and making sure you know what is happening before the application is sent. Once you qualify for the RAP, you will be invited to a session with the RAP staff to review how the program works and what is expected from you. At the end of this meeting, you will receive the RAP Certificate. The provider, your case manager, and the property manager are notified that you have received a RAP Certificate.

Lease

A lease is the agreement between you and the landlord. It lists the details about renting the apartment.

When you are approved for the apartment, your provider and case manager will go over the lease with you, so you understand the rules, your responsibilities, and what to expect. They will be able to tell you what your rent will be. They will answer your questions and make sure you feel comfortable before you sign anything.

Security Deposit

A Security Deposit is a rental payment paid before you move in. It shows the landlord or property manager that you are ready to move forward with the apartment. Your provider will help you through this and will talk with you about ways to pay the Security Deposit.

The provider and your team will be there to help you through each step of this process.

Step 6: Move-In supports – Before you move into your new home, the provider and team will help you get the services you need, such as gas, electric, water, and cable or internet. You will make the necessary arrangements for moving in. They will help you pack your belongings, transport them to your new home, and arrange your furniture and items so that everything is safe, comfortable, and ready for you. They can also help you bring anything you need to make your home complete.

There may be services available to help you buy things for your apartment. Talk with your case manager and provider for more information.

You will get help with each step of moving in so that your home is safe, comfortable, and ready for you.

Step 7: Ongoing Supports – After you move into your home, the supportive housing provider will continue to support you by checking in regularly, adjusting the supports as your needs change, and helping you stay safe, independent and comfortable in your home. They will help you learn skills, stay safe, and be successful in your home and community.

Your team will be available if you reach out with questions or concerns, and staff will come when they are scheduled to provide support and training.

Contacting Staff

Though you will be living in your own apartment, staff will be just a call away. Assistive Technology may be available so you can reach someone easily at any time of day or night.

The goal is to help you feel safe, secure, independent, and supported every day.

Reviews and Updates

You and your team will review your plan at least once a year to make sure it meets your needs and goals.

If any concerns or questions come up, your team can meet sooner to talk about what needs to be changed or updated. You can also ask staff or your case manager to set up a meeting anytime if you want to talk about your plan or get help with an issue.

Step 8: Crisis and Emergency Supports – Crisis and emergency supports are available to help you stay safe during unexpected situations. Staff may be available and ready to respond.

Calling 911 – If there is a crisis or a situation where you need assistance right away – like if you are seriously hurt, if someone else is seriously hurt, or if there is a fire, you should call 911 right away. These are serious situations where you need help immediately.

Follow-Up Support – After the emergency is over, staff will check in with you to see how you are feeling and make sure you have everything you need.

You can expect that staff will respond quickly, help keep you safe and support you during and after an emergency.

Common Terms

Landlord/Property Manager handles the lease and collects rent each month. They make sure your apartment and the building are in good repair and that things like the stove, lights, plumbing, and doors work properly.

Tenant is an individual who is renting and living in a a property. In Supportive Housing you are a tenant.

Rental Application: The application is the document you fill out to show you’re interested in an apartment and to give more information about yourself. This step includes sharing required information and documents so that you can be considered for an apartment.

Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is a program that can help pay for some of your rental costs. Once you qualify for the RAP, you will be invited to a session with the RAP staff to review how the program works and what is expected from you. At the close of this meeting, you will receive the RAP Certificate. The provider, your case manager, and the property manager are notified that you have received a RAP Certificate.

Security Deposit Guarantee (SDG): A Security Deposit is a rental payment paid before you move in. It shows the landlord or property manager that you are ready to move forward with the apartment.

Lease: A lease is the agreement between you and the landlord. It lists the details about renting the apartment including the rules, your responsibilities, what to expect, and what your rent will be.