Shelters of Saratoga is excited to announce the opening of our nine new supportive housing units on Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs. These affordable apartments provide more than just a roof over someone’s head—they offer a pathway to stability, wellness, and hope for individuals who have faced chronic homelessness and need help navigating a chronic condition.
Our program utilizes the Housing First model, an evidence-based approach to ending homelessness. This model prioritizes providing stable housing as the foundation for health stabilization and personal growth, while emphasizing person-centered choices in care. Through this approach, we support individuals in navigating health services to enhance their stability when they are ready and on their own terms. While participation in care management is not mandatory, it is always available and strongly encouraged to help residents achieve their goals.
Allison, one of our case managers, explains how our program goes beyond just providing housing:
“Not only does our program subsidize rent, making it affordable to those with low resources, it offers long-term stabilization by addressing chronic conditions and encourages community building in a welcoming environment for all. Positive social connection is imperative for growth and housing stability in any housing model, especially when residents have faced chronic homelessness.”
Supportive housing programs such as this have been proven to reduce the recidivism rate of homelessness and steer people away from the stigma associated with homelessness.
-Allison, Case Manager
The case management team is at the heart of our program, providing residents with the tools and support they need to achieve lasting success. From resource navigation to transportation, financial education, and health service coordination, the services we offer help residents move forward in their journey toward stability. Case manager, Mahadhi, shares his enthusiasm about the program:
“I’m truly excited about the opportunity to come alongside the journey of these residents. We have some genuine, smart, talented, and loving individuals who just need support on their road to success. Our residents tend to know where they want to go but not always how to get there. At times, they may even lack some of the skills to achieve these goals. The case management team provides guidance, assistance, and accountability to ensure these goals are met.”
The impact of this program extends beyond the individuals we serve; it has the potential to strengthen the entire Saratoga community. Allison points out the broader implications of supportive housing:
“The Saratoga region has increasingly wide and outwardly visible gaps in wealth. Supportive housing programs such as this have been proven to reduce the recidivism rate of homelessness and steer people away from the stigma associated with homelessness. The success of this program will contribute to a turning point in how this community understands health and housing.”
Mahadhi also stresses the importance of community support for this initiative:
“We urge our neighbors to support the development of programs like this because it creates vital assets in our community. You’re helping to reroute misled individuals from a place of destruction into the building blocks of our society.”
Click the button below to learn more about our programs and how we are addressing housing for the most vulnerable in our community.