Community and Supportive Services

Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

HOU provides Community and Supportive Services (CSS) which include planning, implementation, and evaluation services. HOU is actively engaged from the application writing phase, through the project planning phase, to the project implementation phase and finally to the project completion and close-out phase.

HOU first provided Community and Supportive Services during the project planning phase for the Indianapolis Housing Authority in 1994. This work included assistance with resident relations and the writing and launch of a Community Development and Self-Sufficiency Plan.

Since that time, HOU has taken the lead in developing HUD-approved CSS Workplans for:

  • Allequippa Terrace in Pittsburgh, PA,
  • Southfield Village in Stamford, CT
  • Broadway Homes in Baltimore, MD,
  • East Capitol Dwellings in Washington, DC
  • Rockwell Gardens in Chicago, IL
  • Arthur Capper Carrollsburg in Washington, DC

HOU has also collaborated on proposals to gain HUD approval in Stamford, CT, Yonkers, NY and Chicago Heights, IL.

On-Site Community Services

At active affordable housing in transition site-development projects, HOU’s staff becomes actively involved in assisting residents to enhance their self-sufficiency and to improve their quality of life.  This work of supporting the residents personally affected by these construction projects is foundational for building a sustainable positive, clean, marketable and affordable mixed income community. On-going HOU Case Management work supports the integration of residents into the community.

HOU’s focus of on-site service is placed upon maximizing growthful opportunities for residents and resident families to become assimilated into the fabric of their new community.

These efforts include:

  • Coordinating educational opportunities for youth
  • Coordinating educational and career development support for work-eligible adults
  • Assisting residents with lease compliance
  • Promoting residents optimum health and safety
  • Fostering independent living by facilitating services to address physical and mental health, and substance use issues.

HOU provides a high level of community-based advocacy that is required to affect immediate and sustainable results.  A key to the community’s success is through HOU’s work to build resident council capacity, including fundraising and customized training for council members.

Resident programming is tailored to address site specific demographics and needs. HOU on-site programs and community and supportive service implementations include:

  • Developing HUD-approved CSS work plans
  • Neighborhood economic development initiatives
  • Fundraising for community benefit projects
  • Community center resident-involved program planning and implementation
  • Developing on-site computer centers
  • Coordinating and monitoring area service providers and Section 3 compliance
  • Monitoring and teaching housekeeping compliance
  • Combined youth and elder programming to foster respect and tolerance
  • Providing supportive services for physically and mentally challenged residents
  • Providing individual resident and family case management