New Haven Shelter Plus Care Family Openings!

 

April 23, 2013

Greater New Haven Opening Doors

Re:      New Haven Shelter Plus Care Family Openings

Dear Steering Committee:

New Haven Shelter Plus Care currently has two openings for Chronically Homeless families only.  There is a 2-bedroom unit and a 3-bedroom certificate available.  To be eligible, a family must currently be staying in a place not meant for human habitation, on the streets, or in an emergency shelter only.  

Priority for these certificates will be based on the time and date the application is received.   A waitlist will not be kept for these certificates.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

To be eligible:

1) The head of household must have a diagnosis of mental health and/or substance abuse and/or HIV.  Verification is required by a licensed mental health, substance abuse, or medical professional.

2)   Applicants will need to provide a detailed homeless history identifying that they meet the definition of chronic homelessness.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines “Chronic Homelessness” as:

“A person is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition, or a family with at least one adult member who has a disabling condition, who has been either continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years.  An episode of homelessness is a separate, distinct, and sustained stay in a place not meant for human habitation, on the streets, in an emergency homeless shelter and/or in a HUD-defined Safe Haven.  A chronically homeless person must be disabled during each episode.” 

The Greater New Haven Screening and Referral Form for Permanent Supportive Housing Programs can be found on the following websites:

http://www.nhregionalsupportivehousing.blogspot.com

or 

http://csnct.org/

A complete application should have:

·         Original, signed Screening and Referral Form (revised date 3/15/2012)

·         Disability Verification form signed by licensed mental health or substance abuse professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, social worker, etc.) or medical doctor.  The form must be completed even if additional clinical information is provided.  The form must include the provider’s license number.

·         Homeless Verification form with an accompanying letter from shelter or outreach staff describing the applicant’s homeless history and currently living situation.

Complete applications can be faxed to: 203-764-6337 or mailed to

                        New Haven Shelter Plus Care

                        319 Peck Street

                        Building #1

                        New Haven, CT  06513

The referring provider will be notified by fax if an application is accepted, ineligible, or incomplete.  Since the applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, it is exceptionally important to ensure that applications are fully complete. 

Please disseminate this information to those in your organization who work with families experiencing homelessness and have a qualifying disability (chronic substance abuse, serious mental illness and/or AIDS/HIV).  Please contact Lauren Castiglioni at 203-764-6334 if you have questions or to make a referral.

Sincerely

Leigh Shields-Church, LCSW

Director

New Haven Shelter Plus Care

cc:  S. DiLella, DMHAS