The Supportive Living program provides support services to those who have experienced difficulty living independently because of a mental disorder. Services are tailored to the client’s level of need and can include development of daily living skills such as cooking, shopping and budgeting, development of social skills, emotional support, connection with community resources and more.

Supportive Living allows for the benefit of privacy and security, while at the same time encouraging social interaction and group dynamics to reduce isolation. The Supportive Living program hosts a continuum of Group Living and Apartment residences that offer a range of staffing support levels. Clients are considered for a residence based on their current level of life skills and independence.

While some clients receive care from the Supportive Living Program indefinitely, with support, teaching and mentoring, clients are encouraged to maximize their potential for a more independent lifestyle within the Supportive Living model or in other CMHA programs.

About the Program

Services Provided

• Skill coaching, development and monitoring in areas of independent living such as budgeting, cooking, grocery shopping, hygiene, etc.
• Coaching with household management skills.
• Coaching and development of coping and problem solving skills.
• Providing referrals and facilitating engagement with community agencies.
• Facilitating engagement in community/recreational/volunteer or employment programming.
• Establishing linkages with medical resources.
• Liaison between client and housing provider (Horizon Housing Society) as necessary.

Who can benefit from Supportive Living? (Referral Criteria)
The program serves clients who:

• are between 18 and 64 years old
• have a severe and persistent mental disorder (generally what is referred to by psychiatrists as an Axis I – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc)
• have an illness or symptoms that has resulted in a reduced ability to live independently, and therefore would benefit from support to maintain their housing and independence
• are engaged with psychiatric and clinical supports and are compliant with their treatment plan.
• choose to engage in one-to-one support with a Supportive Living Coordinator
• are prepared to set and work towards goals
• are not currently at risk of harm to themselves or others
• are not actively engaged in substance abuse or addiction
• are medically and physically able to participate in the program

Please note: Supportive Living programs are intended for single adults, and are unable to accommodate couples or individuals with children. The majority of buildings that are owned and operated by Horizon Housing Society do not allow pets. Therefore, owning a pet can also affect our ability to provide placement in our programs.

Click here to learn more about the Group Living, Apartment and other programs.

Please click here for a copy of the Supportive Living Referral Form.

Summary
The emphasis of all programs is on providing support while focusing on the strengths of the individual – encouraging their use of personal, family and community based resources to maintain their optimal level of mental health and to maintain or enhance their community living status.

Horizon Housing Society
The Supportive Living Program partners with Horizon Housing Society for all of our programs. Horizon Housing Society owns the buildings and acts as a landlord. The majority of clients must apply for tenancy with Horizon Housing Society and have a signed lease agreement with them that establishes rental rates and applied subsidies. Space in the program is not guaranteed if the applicant is not accepted for tenancy.
See the Horizon Housing Society website for more information.

Fees

• There is no fee for an Intake Interview.
• Though there is no fee for the services of the Supportive Living Coordinators, fees for programs vary according to residence or lease agreement with Horizon Housing Society.

How to access the program
Referrals should be directed to the Intake Team. For referral and intake information click here.

Please note: There are generally waiting lists for all CMHA Supportive Living Programs.

For further information on this program please call (403) 297-1709 or email the Intake Coordinator.