At ImmaCare, we believe that every person deserves a safe place to call home, and we follow a Housing First model that prioritizes securing permanent housing without prerequisites. This means that individuals do not need to meet certain requirements—such as sobriety, mental or physical health treatment, or employment—before obtaining housing. For people who have been living on the streets or in shelters, this approach provides immediate relief, stability, and an opportunity for recovery.
However, as we continue to place more individuals into permanent housing, we are discovering that finding affordable housing units is just one part of the challenge. Many of our clients face serious mental health challenges that, left unaddressed, can jeopardize their success as tenants. These challenges can cause difficult behaviors that strain relationships with landlords, neighbors, and even threaten the stability of their housing.
For someone living with a mental health disorder or substance use issue, what seems like a fresh start can quickly unravel if they do not have the necessary supports. Landlords, who are often well-meaning, may not have the resources or patience to handle situations where a tenant’s mental health is affecting their behavior. Without early intervention, these relationships sour, leases are terminated, and the cycle of homelessness begins once again.
For example, we have worked for several years with a client named Ana (not her real name). Her mental health challenges consistently interfere with her ability to maintain stable housing. She often becomes adversarial with neighbors, other clients, landlords, and staff, which has led to multiple relocations over time.
Last year, we faced increasing difficulty finding landlords willing to work with her due to her history of instability and high needs. Eventually, we secured an apartment that she was excited about and had been waiting to move into. However, before the move-in date, Ana independently visited the property manager—an external landlord—and, during that interaction, insulted them in their office. As a result, the housing offer was revoked.
She was ultimately placed in a less suitable housing situation, where the same behavioral patterns began to resurface. She has already started expressing hostility toward the new landlord and has been contacting various members of ImmaCare’s staff with complaints. Unfortunately, this ongoing cycle appears to be related to untreated mental illness, and it underscores the critical need for integrated mental health support within housing services.
This is where we need your help. Our commitment to housing stability must go beyond just providing a roof over someone’s head. We must invest in wraparound services, including mental health support, crisis intervention, and relationship building with landlords to ensure that every individual has the tools to thrive in their new home. But to sustain these services, we rely on generous donors like you.
Your support will enable us to:
- Assess whether a mental health episode occurs after housing placement and promptly connect individuals with a professional to help them manage their condition and prevent disruptive behaviors.
- Offer mediation and support to landlords, fostering better communication and understanding between them and their tenants.
- Equip our team with the resources needed to intervene early when a client is struggling, preventing evictions and maintaining housing stability.
Your generosity can make the difference between someone remaining in their home or falling back into homelessness. Together, we can help our most vulnerable neighbors build better lives, while strengthening our community.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ending homelessness in the Hartford region. Your compassion and generosity mean the world to those we serve. Please consider making a donation today to support these critical services. With your help, we can ensure that housing is truly the first step, not the last, in a journey toward lasting stability.
Sincerely,
Lou Gilbert
Executive Director