Living In a Supported Housing Program
Living in a supported housing program
There are many different types of supported housing, depending on where you live. In rural areas, supported housing may mean living with a family. In cities, supported care might mean living in an apartment complex with a supervisor or leader who lives on site.
Here are some examples of supported housing:
Supervised apartment
You may have your own apartment or share an apartment with 1 or 2 other people. Staff members are on call to assist you, and they stop by routinely to see how you're doing.
Home-share
You may share a home with several other people. Your case manager visits you at your home and assists you if you need help with anything.
Foster care
You may live with a family that has received training and support to provide a home for a person who has a mental illness.
Community care home (group home)
This group living arrangement serves only people with mental illness. Professionals and trained staff are available to assist you.
Halfway house (group home)
This arrangement is particularly helpful for a person with a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health issues. Professionals at the halfway house are specially trained to offer help to residents who need assistance with a dual diagnosis.
Boarding home
You may share a home with other people, where people are available to assist you. This type of housing is different from a "community care home" in that the people available to assist you are not mental healthcare professionals. However, they have received training to assist people with mental illnesses.
Residential treatment facility
This is another type of group living arrangement designed to help people with disabilities caused by mental illnesses. A large staff of professionals is available, and people usually stay in this type of facility for a long period of time. Residents attend classes or workshops to learn skills to become more independent.
Temporary respite bed
This temporary living arrangement is available to help people during times of crisis. Staff members are available to help clients through the crisis period.
Nursing home
This type of facility offers 24-hour care and is staffed by physical and mental health professionals. Many elderly clients use this type of living arrangement, but it is not just for elderly people.
