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
MIX is an intensive 23 bed transitional housing program for homeless mentally ill ex-offenders. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with additional support from the NYS Office of Mental Health, the provides three levels of service: a six bed 24-hour supervised residence, 4 supportive beds (2 beds in 2 apartments) and 13 supported beds in individual apartments. This housing provides a safe space for clients upon intake, during which time immediate needs for food, shelter, clothing, medical assessment and treatment are addressed. Clients are assisted in learning daily living skills, managing their mental illness, and accessing vocational training in order to help them avoid returning to criminal activity and transition to more permanent housing. Consumers are also engaged in skills training and confidence building in preparation for movement into a supported long-term program with the ultimate goal of employability, independence, and integration into the community. The agency continues to monitor successful graduates in supportive and supported independent apartments.