Homeless Outreach

CHOICE Reaches Out to the Homeless and Mentally Ill

For most people, losing their home and living in a shelter is unfathomable. The experience itself is confusing and oppressive. But homelessness, for many people, has become a reality due to circumstances in their lives which led to this situation. Some people experience issues which lead them to lose their homes more than once. With good support, however, homelessness can be overcome and need not become chronic.

“I found that arriving at the doors of CHOICE was one of the best decisions I made. CHOICE has really helped me to place myself in a secure path for a bright future.”
Mr. L — January, 2009

Our Homeless Outreach Workers (HOWs) are professionals, many of whom have also experienced difficulties similar to clients in this program and have triumphed over them.

We Assist People to Obtain or Maintain Housing and Other Benefits

Once you enter our program, you will be assigned to a Homeless Outreach Worker who will meet with you to develop a step-by-step plan that will enable you to reach your goal of obtaining safe, stable permanent housing. Throughout the entire process our Homeless Outreach team will remain by your side. During the process, we may transport and accompany you to file for needed benefits and to other vital appointments.

Homeless Outreach Workers are usually responsible for gathering the documentation necessary for the Single Point Of Access application (SPOA) and filing the application with the County. A SPOA application is required in order for you to obtain Case Management and/or supportive mental health housing. Once the application is filed on your behalf there will still be much more to be done, but we will help and support you until you actually move into permanent housing.

Because of the shortage of safe, affordable housing and the number of spaces available in supportive housing, we may work with you over several years’ time.

We strive to establish and maintain a solid and trustworthy relationship with you as we make every effort to prevent you from becoming discouraged or dropping out of the process.