In 2001, the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health funded six clubhouses in the commonwealth to run Clubhouse Housing Support Programs under the MCC Clubhouse Housing Demonstration Project.  Six clubhouses, one from each DMH Area, were chosen to provide residential support services to 4 – 6 targeted individuals and expand the clubhouse’s ability to provide housing supports to the clubhouse general membership: Baybridge in Hyannis, Center Club in Boston, Elm Brook Place in Bedford, Lighthouse in Springfield, Point After Club in Lawrence, and Westwinds in Fitchburg.

The clubhouse housing support programs’ provide individualized housing supports to members identified as being residents of the Clubhouse Housing Support program, and general housing supports to the clubhouse general membership including: roommate/neighbor mediation; outreach; landlord/housing authority negotiation; assistance with subsidy applications, apartment search, assistance with moving or cleaning/maintaining apartments; helping with budgets.  The Clubhouse Housing Support programs operate in accordance with the DMH Clubhouse Housing Support Program Standards.

In addition, the Clubhouse Housing Support Programs has increased the housing expertise and resources in our DMH Communities.  Clubhouses who operate housing components develop housing expertise and serve as a valuable resource for DMH case managers, consumers, and their families who are searching for subsidy options, conducting apartment searches or dealing with any myriad of housing related issues.

Referrals to a Clubhouse Housing Support Program may come from a variety of sources – DMH, clinical treaters and programs, local hospitals, and from within the clubhouse.  However, priority is always given to DMH referrals from the local site office.  A consumer who is not a clubhouse member at the time of referral is given member status upon completing the Clubhouse Housing Support Program intake process.

For members who are part of a Clubhouse Housing Support Program, a clubhouse provides:

·       Active housing supports through apartment visits and meetings at the clubhouse or in the community.  The support is flexible depending on the member’s needs and would range from once a week apartment visits to monthly housing meetings.

·     Ongoing assistance, as requested or needed, to a member in the day to day management of their home, including: budgeting, grocery shopping, meal preparation, cleaning skills, transportation issues, landlord negotiations, support with roommate mediation, neighbor interventions, and support around addressing medical issues.

·      24 hour on-call availability.

·       Rent subsidies, if needed.

·       Assistance in moving into, cleaning, and furnishing apartment.

·      Access to services and assistance with employment, education, substance abuse/dual recovery issues, as needed.

The following services are available to all members of a clubhouse that operates a Clubhouse Housing Support Program: 

·     Assistance in applying for rental subsidies.

·     Assistance in apartment search and negotiating with landlords and housing authorities to secure apartments.

·      Assistance in moving and securing furniture donations.

·       Landlord mediation, as needed.

·       Assistance with budgeting.

·        Assistance in accessing dual recovery supports, as needed.