Service-enriched housing
Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- This strategy can support healthy living environments. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Program overview
Providing comprehensive care: Service-enriched housing programs offer affordable housing paired with social services, provided either on-site or through referral to nearby partner agencies. The goal of service-enriched housing is to reduce homelessness and promote housing stability among at-risk individuals and families.
Administered through partnerships: While service-enriched housing programs are often initiated by local governments, the social services provided may be delivered by either government or non-profit organizations. Examples of these services can include crisis intervention, employment and workforce training opportunities, tutoring or other educational assistance for children, and more.
Reaching out to vulnerable residents: Service-enriched housing initiatives often target specific groups, such as low-income families, individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors, people with disabilities, or veterans. The strongest results have been demonstrated among programs aiding veterans.
Integrated, long-term housing: Housing provided through these programs is not time-limited, offering residents long-term housing stability and access to social services. The types of housing offered by service-enriched housing programs varies, however. Most often, participants are placed in units across a community, frequently in buildings that predominantly house residents who are not participating in the program. Local governments often partner with local landlords and housing developers to identify appropriate program sites.
- Strategies
-
Permanent supportive housing
- Cost per Participant
-
Not available
Multiple studies with less rigorous designs provide some evidence for service-enriched housing as a strategy for improving housing and health-related outcomes.
- A 2022 systematic review identified service-enriched housing as a scientifically-supported strategy for reducing homelessness, increasing housing stability, and reducing hospital utilization.
Coordinate recruitment: Service-enriched housing initiatives should build partnerships with social service agencies and community-based organizations to coordinate outreach to possible participants. This should include direct in-person outreach, alongside program advertisements online and at physical locations within communities.
Invest in high-quality services: Successful service-enriched housing programs invest resources in a wide range of on-site services, such as general case management, mental health care (including trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step recovery, among others), professional and vocational training, and life skill-building classes. Many programs also develop relationships with local providers who offer services that the program does not.
Offer subsidized rent: To the fullest extent possible, local governments implementing service-enriched housing should seek to subsidize rent for new program participants. This may include connecting tenants with housing vouchers or other forms of subsidization. Generally, tenants should dedicate no more than 30 percent of their income to living expenses.
Treat participants as tenants: Participants in service-enriched housing should be treated similarly to tenants in non-program housing. The tenant should be provided with a lease in their name, as well as the ability to renew the lease at their discretion and behavioral guidelines similar to those in any other housing community. In addition, implementing jurisdictions should make an effort to provide new tenants with diverse housing options, such as providing participants with a range of housing styles or different neighborhoods. Participants should also choose which support services to take advantage of.