Housing is Healthcare!
Step Up is a “Housing First” Provider.
Established by Dr. Sam Tsemberis, Housing First is a model that roots permanent supportive housing as a foundation of recovery for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health conditions, and addictions. Traditionally, these individuals have lived in a cycle of surviving on the street, being admitted to hospitals, shelters, or jails and then going back to the street. The stress of surviving each day in this cycle puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the individual’s psychiatric and physical health. “Living in the street,” one client said, “It makes you crazy.”
Instead, Housing First advocates for the provision of client-preferred services based on the premise that individuals are the best judges of their own needs and should determine their own goals. The number one supportive service requested by Step Up members is housing. Not a pill, a program, or a protocol, but a place to live.
Step Up provides innovative, community-based permanent supportive housing and comprehensive case management services via developments and scattered site units throughout California, Georgia, and Tennessee. In total, this life-changing supportive housing has been provided to more than 2,500 individuals who experienced serious mental health conditions and chronic homelessness.
Of those housed, Step Up consistently sees more than 97% remain in housing one year later.
Types of Permanent Supportive Housing
Step Up owns and operates dozens of permanent supportive housing developments throughout California. In these standalone buildings, all residents are Step Up members. On-site staff provide a rich array of supportive services, including recreational and community-building activities.
Step Up also houses hundreds of individuals in scattered site apartments — individual apartments where landlords accept housing vouchers. Step Up’s housing team works with property management companies and landlords who are willing to engage with Step Up to rent to individuals experiencing homelessness. These apartments also qualify as permanent supportive housing as the staff provides support services and case management support to ensure long-term housing retention. These services include assisting in securing public benefits (Social Security, food stamps, etc.), counseling, substance use recovery support, and linking to community resources.
Explore the interactive map to see all of our permanent supportive housing locations across the country.
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