What is Supportive Housing?

Over the years, government agencies have attempted to solve homelessness by providing temporary shelters, or motel subsidies, or vouchers. Shelters are communal so people are at risk of violence and theft from others who are destitute. The millions of dollars allocated by county or municipal agencies to alleviate the suffering have not made lasting change and the problem has increased in magnitude. Finland may have been the first country to address this global problem by using the Housing First Model. A person experiencing homelessness can address their underlying issues only after they have the built in security of a place to live, a place of their own with a lockable door. And with adequate support, they can focus on breaking free from substance abuse or recover their mental health. With the advent of the new $12 billion spending package for the homeless, California will be able to begin to solve the crisis by building or buying permanent housing units for this demographic and help pay for the necessary support services.

In their work with the homeless, the city contracted Life Moves, a non-profit provider of supportive interim housing and services, to build a new facility of 100 modular housing units on Leghorn Avenue to provide transitional supportive housing (TSH). The units have lockable doors, windows, beds, HVAC, and room for personal storage. There is a communal eating area and a small playground for children. The housing serves people who were homeless within the city of Mountain View and provides the clients with dignity, is secure, and gives them a place to meet with their case workers, housing specialists, and employment specialists. The case workers move as quickly as possible to find permanent supportive housing for the clients.