Supportive Housing Model
The supportive housing model combines subsidized or affordable housing options with access to a range of coordinated health and human services, such as tenancy support, healthcare, behavioral health, and referrals to social support. Supportive housing is relevant for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, people with disabilities, or people with substance use disorders. Supportive housing may be temporary or permanent. In permanent supportive housing programs, residents typically lease their own subsidized housing units without limits on the length of stay.
Many different organizations can create and operate supportive housing programs, including healthcare agencies, community-based organizations focused on homelessness or affordable housing, and private developers. Supportive housing programs often involve case managers who help residents connect to services. In addition to coordinating with primary care and behavioral health providers, case managers may help residents enroll in public assistance programs, job skills training, and support groups.
Examples of Supportive Housing Models
- The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services' Division of Behavioral Health implemented a permanent supportive housing model to serve individuals who are experiencing co-occurring homelessness, mental illness, and/or substance use disorders. The program includes partnerships with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.
- The Rural Health Models and Innovations section's housing and homelessness page provides additional rural project examples focused on supportive housing.
Considerations for Implementation
Supportive housing programs can be resource- and time-intensive. Housing options may be limited in some rural and frontier communities. Program planners may also face barriers to securing funding to build new supportive housing units in rural areas. For example, rural programs may need to compete for community development funds that could also be allocated to improving infrastructure or directed to other community priorities.
Rural program planners should explore different funding sources to provide supportive housing services. One critical source of funding for supportive housing is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To receive HUD funding for supportive housing, rural programs must work through a Continuum of Care organization, which aim to promote community-wide coordination of resources and services for homeless individuals.
Some states are using Medicaid funding for supportive services. For example, North Carolina's Healthy Opportunities Pilots are assessing an intervention that includes supportive housing in three rural regions.
Resource to Learn More
A Snapshot of Housing
Supports in Rural Contexts
Document
Presents findings from existing literature, interviews, and site visits with human services staff on the
availability of housing units and housing supports in rural areas. Identifies opportunities for strengthening
housing supply in rural communities.
Author(s): Ward, E., Murdoch, J., Chakraborti, N., Scally, C.P., & Morgan, A.
Organization(s): Office of Planning, Research, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Date: 12/2022