Program Overview
Neighbors First Individuals empowers highly-vulnerable individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness together with a serious disability (such as mental health challenges, addictions, or physical illnesses) to transition into housing and begin rebuilding their lives. Neighbors First Individuals, unlike Neighbors First Families, serves single adults. Both Neighbors First Families and Neighbors First Individuals are Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs, meaning participants receive long-term case management support to ensure housing stabilization, a maximum level of self-sufficiency, and an overall better quality of life.
Neighbors First Individuals follows the Housing First model, which removes all barriers to housing, including sobriety requirements, and places participants directly into their own apartments from the street or shelters using a scattered site approach. Once housed, wraparound case management support addresses the medical, psychiatric, substance use, and/or employment needs of the participant.
The Housing First model welcomes participants “as they are” and favors flexibility over rules. It is person-centered, nonjudgmental, and non-coercive. The participants themselves drive the process, while case managers are there to help them achieve individual goals such as recovery, health, financial stability, education, reconnection with family, or employment.
The Housing First approach is extraordinarily effective, as evidenced by our housing stability rates of greater than 98 percent.
Impact
In Fiscal Year 2021, Neighbors First Individuals served 265 individuals, with a program retention rate of 99%.
Who We Serve
Chronically homeless single adults who are also experiencing a disability such as mental health, physical health, and/or addiction.
Where We Serve
The Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Neighbors First Individuals receives referrals directly from the Department of Human Services (DHS), through DC’s Coordinated Entry System. If you are currently experiencing homelessness and would like to be assessed for the Neighbors First Individuals program, you must complete an assessment at our Welcome Center or at numerous other outreach and drop-in centers within the District.
Need Help?
Contact us at 202.364.1419 or visit the Welcome Center (4713 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016).