Bronx Homeless Initiative	RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE
938 Sheridan Avenue Bronx, NY 10451 (718) 538-7416

Purpose: The goal of the Bronx Homeless Initiative is to secure housing for mentally ill substance-abusing offenders participating in the Bronx Mental Health Court.  Court participants face a myriad of challenges—poverty, mental illness, limited education, poor vocational skills and criminal records. Helping clients to overcome these obstacles and find permanent, stable housing is the major challenge faced by program staff.  This program is a collaborative effort with Argus Community Residence.

Program Description: The Bronx Homeless Initiative is housed at the EAC Bronx Mental Health Court site.  Participants are referred by the Mental Health Court and placed at Argus for up to 18 months for substance abuse treatment, treatment for mental illness, and stabilization. A vocational rehabilitation counselor meets with clients to develop a sound, structured educational and vocational plan designed to help the client achieve self-sufficiency in combination with recovery from substance abuse and/or mental illness.  A housing specialist works with clients to identify permanent housing and secure benefits to which the client may be entitled, including housing subsidies, social security disability and Medicaid. 
        As clients progress in treatment at Argus, they receive ongoing support to help facilitate their re-entry into the community, including re-connecting with family, faith-based institutions and other natural helping systems.

Funding: Program funding is provided by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration.