LESC Offers Supportive Housing With A People-First Approach

It’s not uncommon for those who struggle with substance use to also experience housing in stability. At LESC, we understand that no two people come to a place of homelessness or experience homelessness the same way. But they all have one thing in common – they all need a safe place to live, says Valerie Walters. And providing that supportive housing is a very important step in helping to provide resilient recovery.

“We have a ‘Housing First’ approach,” explained Merry Limbu, Divisional Director of Supportive Housing. ‘Housing First’ is a recovery-oriented, evidence-based approach that promotes client choice, personalized supports, flexibility, and self-sufficiency. That’s why LESC provides programs and services that promote housing stability and individual well-being. “We don’t screen out individuals with criminal records. We don’t screen out anyone with a low credit score,” Merry added.

Because everyone takes a different path from homelessness to housing, LESC also provides a network of individualized support available at each site. “We have clients who have struggled with reading and writing. We help them with the educational and vocational support they need to build a life for themselves,” Merry noted.

LESC Individual Supportive Housing – Franklin Avenue Residence

LESC Franklin Avenue Residence – Located at 1341 Franklin Avenue Bronx, NY 10456

LESC offers long-term housing for the homeless population of single adults (18+) with active substance use disorders.

LESC on-site services include:

• Substance use recovery
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Case management
• Group therapy
• Harm reduction
• Health and nutrition education
• Vocational and life skills training

LESC – Franklin Avenue Residence also has community apartments allocated for the general population whose income qualifies for affordable housing. This program accepts referrals from the shelter, Department of Homeless Services, and the general public.

LESC Scatter Site Housing

LESC offers housing to single recovering adults who have completed a course of treatment for substance use disorder and who are at risk of street or sheltered homelessness. LESC Scatter Site tenants pay 30% of their income (e.g., public assistance, employment, Social Security) as their portion of rent. This program accepts referrals from our treatment programs. Individuals in need of housing assistance should contact LESC.

LESC services include:

• Case management
• Counseling
• Permanent supportive housing

Eligibility:

• This program helps adults who are 18+ years old
• Must be a one-person household
• Must be at risk of homelessness
• Must have completed a course of treatment for substance use disorder

LESC Family Supportive Housing – Diversity Works

LESC Diversity Works – Located at 1932 Crotona Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10460

LESC offers Family Supportive Housing for chronically homeless families in which the head of the household is struggling with substance use disorder. We offer on-site services to our residents to promote recovery, family stability, and mental and physical wellness. Families in need of housing assistance should contact the Department of Homeless Services; for the community apartments, please contact LESC.

LESC – Diversity Works also has community apartments allocated for the general population whose income qualifies for affordable housing. This program accepts referrals from the shelter, Department of Homeless Services, and the general public.

LESC on-site services include:

• Substance use recovery
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Case management
• Group therapy
• Harm reduction
• Health and nutrition education
• Vocational and life skills training
• After-school homework assistance
• Psycho-educational workshops

LESC HIV/AIDS Supportive Housing – LESC House (soon to be named Pencer House)

LESC House – Offers permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. All our residents are referred to us by New York City’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA).

LESC services include:

• Long-term subsidized housing
• On-site case management
• Two meals daily
• Group and individual counseling
• Referrals for services that are not provided in house

LESC Transitional Safety Units

This short-term housing is for individuals with substance use disorder experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness who can not currently access permanent housing. We offer affordable housing solutions and dedicated case management services to help those tenants who have struggled with substance use and homelessness to transition into permanent housing within 9 to 12 months.

LESC services include:

• Affordable housing solutions
• Rent payments for the first 6 to 9 months
• Case management
• Financial management
• Individual counseling

LESC Transitional Safety Units

“Our main goal for supportive housing is for tenants to maintain their housing. There are some tenants who are not used to having a roof over their head, they think that it’s not for them and may just disappear. Many of them haven’t experienced any kind of structure in their lives. They may not know how to pay the rent or even maintain an apartment. It’s something many of us take for granted,” Merry offered. LESC case managers help our tenants learn to budget, pay bills, and schedule appointments, among other thing, and LESC vocational specialists help tenants create resumes, prepare for interviews, and find the right clothes to wear to help find employment.

“Success could be something small, like helping tenants connect with a doctor and make it to their appointment, because maybe they haven’t been seen by medical doctors for years,” Merry added. “Or maybe a tenant is finally open to seeing a therapist or psychiatrist after being in survival mode for years and now they’re willing to address the trauma they’ve experienced.”