Supportive Housing and Affordable Housing Model
In the general model description of the supportive housing & affordable housing model, Supportive Housing units are combined with Affordable Housing units in a single property or series of properties to create mixed tenancy across incomes.
The integrated developments created under this model provide housing opportunities for a variety of supportive housing populations as well as other households in need of affordable housing. This model promotes integration by providing opportunities for supportive housing tenants to live among diverse populations and coordination among property management and supportive services ensures the primary focus is on housing stability for tenants.
This model often has an affordable or community development focus with a for-profit or non-profit housing developer in ownership. Property management of the property is handled by the ownership entity or in agreement with a third-party manager, depending on the housing type and the number of units.
What are supportive housing populations?
Supportive housing is a combination of affordable housing and supportive services designed to help vulnerable individuals and families use stable housing as a platform for health, recovery and personal growth.
It focuses on balancing three distinct components — housing, supportive services, and property and housing management. Supportive housing targets households whose heads of household are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or are inappropriately staying in an institution.
How is homelessness defined?
In 2009, through the passage of the Homelessness Emergency and Rapid Transition to Housing Act
(HEARTH), Congress authorized a new definition of homelessness that combined and updated
definitions that were previously held by different federal agencies such as the Departments of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) and Education.
This definition is broadly used by communities and organizations receiving and using federal funding to address homelessness.
There are four categories of homelessness used by HUD to implement the HEARTH Act. The four
categories are used to support eligibility for various federal funding sources for homelessness, and
reflect the slight differences within the experience of “homeless.”
Category 1 – Homeless: Individuals or families who
1. do not have a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”
2. live on the street, in a shelter, or in a place not meant for people to sleep (car, park, abandoned
building or
3. are exiting prison, jail, a hospital or nursing facility and who both stayed less than 90 days and
were homeless when they entered.
Category 2 – Imminent Risk of Homelessness
Individuals and families who will lose their primary residence within 14 days of asking for homeless
assistance; no subsequent residence has been identified; and lacks the resources or support networks
needed to obtain other permanent housing.
Category 3 – Definitions of other federal statutes such as Education
Unaccompanied youth under 25 years old (including migrants) or families with children who are living
doubled up for economic reasons; are awaiting foster care placement; are abandoned in a hospital; or
who have lived for long periods with housing instability and where it is expected to continue into the
future due to chronic disabilities (including a child/minor), chronic physical or mental health
conditions, substance addiction, history of domestic violence or child abuse, or multiple barriers to
employment
Category 4 – Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence
An individual or family who is fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence; has no other residence;
and does not have the financial or social resources to access other housing.
Further reading: Effectiveness of permanent supportive housing