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Our supportive housing program will be profiled in a federally commissioned film about the most effective ways to house and help homeless individuals and families so that their cycle of homelessness is deterred.
A video crew spent four days at Southwest Solutions last week (March 8 - 11, 2011) recording interviews and scenes for the film.
The film was commissioned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It will be included in a Permanent Supportive Housing Toolkit that will used to educate agencies and communities about ending homelessness.
“We are honored to share our expertise and experience and hope that the lessons we have learned with benefit programs and consumers across the nation,” said Joseph Tardella, executive director of Southwest Counseling Solutions.
Southwest Solutions was chosen to participate in the film because our supportive housing program exemplifies evidence-based and best practices. The program provides quality housing and an array of support services. 94% of those served by the program remain housed for more than six months. This retention rate is one of the best in the nation. In the past six years, our program has helped nearly 800 chronically homeless persons and families obtain housing.
SAMHSA identifies six essential features of a best-practices permanent supportive housing model:
The permanent supportive housing program at Southwest Solutions fulfills all six criteria. Our program has also received national acclaim for its “blended management” approach in which tenants and landlords are encouraged to work together to observe their respective rights and responsibilities and to resolve issues before they lead to eviction.
In acquiring material for the film, the video crew shot a dozen interviews with leadership, staff and consumers. Scenes were shot at Piquette Square for Veterans, our Housing Resource Center, three apartment buildings that we revitalized and manage, our Go-Getters Homeless Drop-in Center, and Lithuanian Hall (the offices of Southwest Housing Solutions.) Our Community Living Services program, which helps AFC residents move into their own apartments, was also featured.
Two other programs in the country will part of the 20-minute film, which should be completed in late summer. In addition to being part of the Toolkit, the film will be streamed from the SAMHSA website.
Contact:
Steve Palackdharry
Communications Manager
313.297.1374
email
Counseling Overview
