Supported Housing Program

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Canadian Mental Health Association

Richmond, BC Canada

Supported Housing Program

The Supported Housing Program enables people with a mental illness to establish independent housing in the community with enough support to remain satisfied and successful. The tenants live in unstaffed, subsidized apartments throughout the Richmond area, supported by Community Living Support Workers (CLSW). The Supported Housing Program also offers "support only" services to individuals currently living independently. CLSW's are available Monday to Friday 8:30 am. to 4:30 pm.
A community Independence Program is available for those individuals who need more intensive support and skill building.

The Community Independence Program (C.I.P) is a partnership undertaken by Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services, Canadian Mental Health Association - Richmond Branch and Richmond Mental Health Residential Facility Operators. An Occupational Therapist offers individualized rehabilitation assessment of strengths, skills and supports required for successful independent living. An individualized plan to develop the necessary skills and supports will be developed. Ongoing skill building and support is provided by Community Living Support Workers. Where applicable facility staff and/or significant others are also involved in providing support to prepare individuals for the transition and continued follow-up support once the individual has moved. The program is targeted to individuals with a serious mental illness who need considerable support and /or skill development to make the transition to successful independent living. These individuals would not be accepted into the regular Supported Housing Program.

Our Goals

To provide training and support to tenants to enable them to learn, relearn and/or maintain Daily Living Skills.

To provide readily accessible, skilled support services to avoid tenant stress/rehospitalization.

To assist tenants to live as independently as possible.

To assist tenants to re-establish, develop and/or maintain relationship skills and abilities.

To assist tenants to integrate socially in the community.

To assist tenants to re-establish, develop and/or maintain skills and abilities to access community resources.

To provide tenants with crisis intervention in order to avoid hospitalization and/or loss of housing.

Entrance Criteria
Persons accepted to the Supported Housing Program will meet the following criteria:

Diagnosed with a mental illness.
Under the continuing care of a mental health professional.
Eligible for subsidy from British Columbia Housing Management Commission or Greater Vancouver Mental Health Services.
Require some support or development in the skills required for independent living.
Willing and able to actively take part in the Supported Housing Program by meeting with a Community Living Support Worker as required to work on mutually agreed upon areas requiring skill development.
Between 19-64.
No recent history of significant violence toward self or others.
No active suicidal tendencies.
No active alcohol or drug problems.
Able to manage own prescription medication(s).
Able to financially support self or eligible for financial assistance.

For more information and/or a registration form,
please contact the Manager of the Supported Housing Program at:

Canadian Mental Health Association
Richmond Branch
7351 Elmbridge Way
Richmond, British Columbia V6X 1B8
Phone: 604-276-8834 Fax: 604-276-0342

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