Supportive Housing

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: United Neighborhood Centers’ Transitional Housing Program provides intensive case management and supportive services to homeless families.  It is also geared towards assisting families in identifying goals and securing resources needed.  Through this program families are given the opportunity to stay together in safe, comfortable apartments while pursuing self-sufficiency goals and permanent housing.

UNC staff assists families in addressing the root cause of their homelessness and provides follow-up support. Program services include case management, budgeting, transportation, referrals to outside agencies, job search assistance, access to education opportunities and assistance with childcare.

PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: United Neighborhood Centers’ Permanent Supportive Housing Program is designed to provide case management for chronically homeless individuals. The individual is provided with assistance in maintaining permanent housing and daily living skills such as shopping, cleaning and budgeting. Upon entry into the program the needs of the individual are assessed and a goal plan is developed that will enable them to work towards self-sufficiency.

INTENSIVE FAMILY REUNIFICATION TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM: United Neighborhood Centers’ Intensive Family Reunification Transitional Housing Program was started in December 2009. It is a temporary housing and supportive service for families who are involved with Children & Youth Services and trying to reunify with their children that had previously been removed from their home.

Through case management, program services include life skills workshops, job training, child care, transportation and appropriate referrals.  Case managers meet with clients once or twice a week and keep client on track with objectives and goals. The objective of the program is for each family in the program to successfully transition to affordable permanent housing after 12 months of participation and pursue self-sufficiency.

POST FOSTER CARE SUPPORT: In collaboration with Lackawanna County Children and Youth Services, UNC created the Post Foster Care Support Program, which is designed for youth exiting foster care who may have needs for additional support as they move into adulthood and independence. This program will provide the needed safety net and supportive system to assist this special group of youth to become strong, independent and self-sufficient adult community members. UNC provides youth with an intensive mixture of housing and supportive services that assists these most vulnerable youth to grow into adulthood with success.

The objectives of the program include:

• Secure Safe Affordable Housing
• Maintain a Legitimate Job and Legal Income
• Obtain Health Insurance
• Complete Education
• Participate in Counseling as Needed
• Obtain Driver’s License
• Enhance Basic Life Skills

In addition to these basic objectives, participants in PFCS will consistently work towards three realistic and obtainable life goals such as completing education and maintaining an apartment. To help achieve these goals, participants work one-on-one with a case manager who reviews progress and works to establish new goals as old ones are completed. Monthly meetings are also held to point participants towards self-sufficiency.