Finding clean, inexpensive, safe, appropriate housing for people with mental illness is one of the most difficult problems families face. If you are unsuccessful in finding housing using the typical methods looking in the Buffalo News or local papers or online, the following resources may be helpful.
BestSelf Homeless Services
716-856-9711
1050 Niagara St., Buffalo, NY 14213
www.BestSelfwny.org
A mobile outreach team targeting psychiatrically disabled adults temporarily living in homeless shelters or who are homeless. Provides intensive clinical case management, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and assistance in obtaining permanent housing and appropriate mental health services. Focus on “Housing First,” followed by links to other needed medical and community services.
Buffalo City Mission
716-854-8181
100 East Tupper St., Buffalo, NY 14203
www.buffalocitymission.org
Fees: None
Serves men.
Buffalo City Mission/Cornerstone Manor
716-854-8181
150 East North St., Buffalo, NY 14203
Fees: None
Shelter for homeless women and children, relief on domestic violence cases. Security 24 hours per day. Case management, health care, child care and Christian guidance. In-house programs and outpatient with community agencies.
CAO of Erie County New Venture Housing
716-881-6543
469 Dodge St., Bldg. 400, Buffalo, NY 14208
Fees: None
www.caoec.org
Males and females over age 20. Food, shelter, and clothing can be arranged. Families with children and mentally handicapped are priority. Need written agency referral and must be in shelter or have legal eviction notice. Rental assistance, referral service.
Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.
716-877-1111x566
1170 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14217
www.csdd.net
Emergency shelter/housing for adults with developmental disabilities; and persons with developmental disabilities who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, respite, group and apartment-style residences. Will accept individuals with a secondary mental health diagnosis.
Compass House
24 hour hotline: 716-886-0935
1451 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
Emergency Shelter:
370 Linwood Ave., Buffalo NY 14209
www.compasshouse.org
Individual, group, family, and crisis counseling; food, emergency shelter, (approx. 9 days average stay); location of alternative living arrangements. Serves runaway and homeless youth 12-17 years old. Provides case management and referral linkage and aftercare.
Family Justice Center
716-558-7233 (SAFE)
438 Main St., Ste. 201, Buffalo, NY 14202
Fee: None
www.fjcsafe.org
Two satellite offices:
Orchard Park Office, 4383 Buffalo St., Orchard Park, NY 14127 716-662-0259
Amherst Office, 330 N. Forest Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 716-634-4309
Free services for domestic violence victims and their children through collaboration with over a dozen partner agencies, all in one secure location. Victims can receive emergency counseling, file criminal charges, create a safety plan, obtain an order of protection, treatment for injuries; and others.
Haven House/Child & Family Services
Hotline 716-884-6000
Office 716-884-6002
PO Box 451, Ellicott Station, Buffalo, NY 14205
Domestic violence shelter licensed by Erie County; services for men, women, and children, including counseling and advocacy.
Little Portion Friary
716-882-5705
1305 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
Adults 18+. Cannot be actively psychotic or substance abusing. Closed during August.
Hope Center/Lt. Col. Matt Urban HSC of WNY
716-893-7222
243 Sears St, Buffalo, NY 14212
https://urbanctr.org/hope-services/hope-center/
Fee: None
Serves adults, seniors, and children. Provides for many basic needs to address homelessness or high risk of homelessness.
Transitional Services, Inc./Emergency Housing Service
716-886-0363
336 Forest Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
www.tsiwny.org
The Emergency Housing Service provides short term (30 day) housing for individuals with psychiatric disorder who lack housing or funds for housing. Applicants must have a current psychiatric assessment from Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), Veterans Hospital, Buffalo Psychiatric Center, or any outpatient program.
WNY Veterans Housing Coalition
716-882-5935 x 26
25 W. Utica St., Buffalo, NY 1420
Fees: None
www.wnyvhc.org
Eligibility: Veterans whose income is at or below 50% of WNY median income
Provides housing for veterans with special needs by developing and managing residential housing for low income persons, severely disabled, homeless, and other persons who have special needs. Provides housing in four apartment complexes, some with support staff or on-site aide care, case management services, referral assistance, homeless prevention services, and employment services.
Community Missions of Niagara Frontier
716-285-3403
1570 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14303
www.communitymissions.org
LOCATIONS:
Shelter for those in need of temporary housing for a variety of reasons, including homelessness, fire, domestic violence, eviction, discharge from hospital, etc. Housing for individuals and families available.
Peer operated mental health services for eastern Niagara County. Four respite beds for hospital diversion, temporary housing, symptom management, and as a rest or relief from stressors to current living situations. Also offers a Recovery Line, 716- 433-6543, and providing face-to-face meetings and/or phone support to prevent onset of emotional crisis.
Emergency housing for those who meet admissions criteria. Provides an organized alternative to hospitalization by offering support, encouragement, and assistance to enhance individual’s participation in the community. Includes three meals a day, 24-hour staffing, medication monitoring, transportation to and from appointments, peer counseling, and linkages.
Individuals with severe mental illness in need of housing should call Erie County Single Point of Access (SPOA) at 716-858-7059 or apply using this form to determine if they are eligible for housing assistance and other intensive coordinated services through this County program. Online application for housing programs can be made by going to the Erie County Department of Mental Health website. Family member caregivers and providers may also file a housing request and application on behalf of an individual.
A description of the Erie County SPOA housing options obtained from the Erie County Department of Mental Health website are:
Supportive (Non-Licensed) Housing Programs:
Supported/Supportive Housing Programs (SHP) – these programs operate scattered site apartments selected by and leased by the consumers themselves. The SHP programs provide rental payment assistance, furniture, household supplies, and supportive services. Staff provide services designed to assist consumers to obtain or refine skills necessary for more independent living and increased self-sufficiency. Staff generally meet with the consumer two or more times per month depending on individual consumer needs. Consumers are expected to develop individual goals which focus on living more independently. The typical length of stay is 3-4 years. Referrals are coordinated through the SPOA and the Erie County Housing Coordinator. OMH funded SHPs require verification of significant impairment in functioning due to a mental disability. HUD funded SHPs also require verification of homelessness at the time of admission. The Erie County Housing Coordinator is responsible for agency assignment. The SHP providers include Transitional Services, Inc., Living Opportunities of DePaul, BestSelf Behavioral Health, Spectrum Human Services, Horizon Human Services, Southern Tier Environments for Living, Housing Options Made Easy, Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Restoration Society, and WNY Veteran’s Housing Coalition.
Licensed Housing Programs:
Supervised Community Residences – SCR & SOCR are congregate care facilities (group homes) which house 8 to 24 residents 18 years of age or older. These Programs are considered transitional and rehabilitative in nature, as the resident’s goal is to move to a less restrictive living environment within 24 months. Bedrooms are often shared but some programs have single bedrooms. Residents participate in the upkeep of the house which includes meal planning and preparation. Recreation activities are provided. Some group homes include an attached training apartment (TSI) for residents ready to test independent living skills. Staff is on site 24/7. SCR services are provided by The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, DePaul Community Services, Southern Tier Environments for Living, Transitional Services, Inc., CMI and the Olmstead (SOCR)* and Pathways Residences (SOCR).
*State Operated Community Residence (BPC)
Supervised Senior Community Residences – SSCR operate the same as Supervised Community Residences but are for consumers who are 55 years of age or older. Residents are encouraged to identify independent living goals but there is less emphasis placed on moving to an apartment. SSCR are provided by Greenwood Residences (all single bedrooms), Southern Tier Environments for Living, and Transitional Services, Inc.
Treatment/Supervised Apartments – TSA provide transitional housing in shared one, two and three bedroom apartments in the community. The apartments are either located at a single site which has staff on site 24/7 or scattered site apartments which staff visit from 3 to 7 days each week and are on call for emergencies 24/7. Staff provide services designed to assist residents obtain or refine skills necessary for independent living. Cash allowances for groceries and clothing are provided by some programs. Residents are expected to develop individual goals which focus on living more independently. The typical length of stay is 18 to 24 months. TSA housing services are provided by The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Living Opportunities of DePaul, Southern Tier Environments for Living, CMI and Transitional Services, Inc.
MICA Housing – MICA – are Group Home and Treatment Apartment Programs capable of providing specialized staffing and services for consumers who are diagnosed with an addictions disorder as well as a psychiatric disability. MICA Group Homes are operated by Transitional Services, Inc. and the Waterfront Residence (BPC). Transitional Services, Inc. also operates a 10 bed supervised apartment program for MICA. Single bedrooms are available.
Young Adult Housing – YAH is a group home and supported housing program providing specialized services for individuals 18 to 21 years of age who are transitioning from Residential Treatment Facilities or congregate living environments for adolescents. Services are similar to other group settings. There is staffing capacity to provide more intensive services for individuals participating in the supported housing component of the program. YAH services are provided by Transitional Services, Inc.
Residential Care Centers for Adults – RCCA offers congregate care support facilities for transitional and extended stays for up to 101 residents. While it is anticipated that, over time, residents will move to more independent housing, there is no set time for completing the program. RCCA’s are designed to work with individuals who need more focused Adult Daily Living (ADL) skills training and other rehabilitative services. Staff is on site 24/7, and nursing staff is available 5 days a week. The RCCA is operated by BPC.
Family Care – FC provides housing for up to four adults with an unrelated family in the community. Providers offer support, furnished rooms, meals, companionship and security. The host family also provides 24-hour supervision, laundry, housekeeping and medication management services. The Family Care Program is operated by BPC.
Single Room Occupancy-CR – SRO’s provide housing that is specifically designed to offer longer term housing (but still transitional in nature) in a service-enriched setting. These programs are intended to provide housing and services for individuals who need to work on developing and improving upon daily living skills. Residential staff provide services on-site which includes medication management, money management, symptom management, assertiveness training, community integration, and other recovery-oriented services. SRO housing is provided by Living Opportunities of DePaul.
