WHAT IS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?
Many special needs individuals seeking housing assistance are also in need of supportive services, and in many cases, simply providing housing, without the social service component, is not enough. The services offered vary depending on the property but include case management, job skills assessment, and independent living skills. Although, the primary goal of the multidisciplinary services is to provide the residents the support and encouragement necessary to transition into, and maintain, permanent housing.
The Housing Authority currently has four Supportive Housing developments: El Carrillo, Artisan Court, Bradley Studios
and Vera Cruz Village.
WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICES?
The Housing Authority partners with several local agencies to provide on-site supportive services, depending on the needs of the properties and residents. Because Artisan Court serves youth aging out of foster care, YMCA Youth and Family Services (YFS) has an office and personnel on-site. YFS provides social services to Santa Barbara’s pre-teens, teens and young adults (18-24) and encompasses Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter in Santa Barbara, the Isla Vista Teen Center and Street Outreach Services.
PathPoint has been a leader in the field of supported employment and living services, providing job skills assessment, job placement, and community independent skills to people who are usually underserved. PathPoint provides on-site coordinators at each of the supportive housing developments offering case management, workshops/classes, and additional services as needed.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The Housing Authority’s Supportive Housing developments are regulated by the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and as such, are limited to very low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is based on annual gross income and suitability. If you are eligible, the Housing Authority will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. The Housing Authority will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project’s environment. The Housing Authority uses income limits developed by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.
Click here for current income limits.
HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
The Supportive Housing program is a non-subsidized program, that is, unlike Section 8 or Public Housing, your rent IS NOT based on 30% of your income. Rent amounts are determined by the individual development, the size of the unit, income of the resident(s), and other factors. Some units include subsidy from the Project Based Voucher or other subsidy program.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Currently, the waiting list for El Carrillo, Bradley Studios and Artisan Court are closed. The waiting list for Vera Cruz Village and Johnson Court are open.
Click here to apply for Supportive Housing.
If you are a senior (62 years of age or older), please also visit our Seniors page for more housing opportunities.