The people with whom [Heritage] deals ... are at the bottom of the housing ladder; people whose lives are on the edge of disintegration; people trying day by day to beat the disease of alcoholism, or mental illness, or substance abuse. That is our clientele. … Without government assistance to house this population, they will be in everyone’s backyard, and in their parks, and under their highways, and in their train stations.
And housing is only the first step. They need counseling. They need individual support. They need treatment.
… for this country to remain great, it must deal with and find a way to use the great potential this large disadvantaged population represents in terms of manpower (personpower), diversity and creativity.

- Ana Pereria

Heritage Residential Treatment Programs

Some of Heritage’s residential clients who are living with mental illness require an intermediate step between intensely supervised transitional housing and permanent, more independent Supported Housing. For these clients Heritage offers two long-term transitional housing programs, one a scattered site, more intensive program with 48 beds (2 or 3 consumers living in an apartment, with individual living quarters and shared community areas), and one a less intensive congregate program with 20 one-bedroom apartments located in a single building. Staff supervision is based on individual consumer’s needs. This supervision will vary from 24-hour on-site supervision, to on-call supervision. (There is also a building manager who remains on-site after hours and who is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). These programs feature a level of restorative services and case managment supports that fit client needs and allow them to transition to more independent living at a pace that is in keeping with their needs and wishes.

Heritage Residential Treatment Programs – Admission Criteria

Client must be 18 years of age or older and have a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness.
Client must be eligible to receive entitlement benefits from the NYC Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services, the Social Security Administration, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.
Client must have no immediate potential for or likelihood of doing serious harm to himself or others.
Client must agree to adhere to his/her individual service plan, and to the rules and regulations of the program.
Evidence must be submitted that the client is medically suited for this program.
Client assessment indicates that they are in need of daily face-to-face visits (or at least, 2 to 3 times per week), but not 24-hour supervision, and can demonstrate low to moderate functioning in activities of daily living skills and/or independent living skills.
Client requires some supervision with regard to self-medication management.
Referral source must submit an approved HRA-2010E housing form, and current supporting documentation, including psychosocial summary, psychiatric assessment, physical examination, and entitlement documentation.

For additional information, contact:

Pamela Pannell, Supervising Case Manager
212-866-2600 ext. 27
ppannell@heritagehousing.org