Persons with severe mental illness represent about 26% of all sheltered homeless persons, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment report to Congress. HOPE for the Homeless, the northwest Louisiana continuum of care collaborative, reports that approximately 30% of the homeless self reporting in the annual Point-in-Time count suffer from some form of mental illness. This segment of the homeless population is difficult to count and considered by homeless providers the most difficult to serve. When "dually diagnosed", suffering from mental illness and some form of substance abuse, the challenge is even greater. Harder to coax from the street into services, more likely to be among the ranks of the chronically homeless, shelters typically turn away clients not alcohol and drug free and lack the resources to provide the services necessary to effectively treat homeless persons with mental illness.

Yet the Federal Task Force on Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness reports only 5-7% of homeless persons with mental illness require institutionalization; most can live in the community with the appropriate supportive housing options.

Community Support Programs, Inc. began its work in 1990 with homeless men and women in northwest Louisiana diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. With HUD McKinney Act funding, state mental health and community based resources, they developed a tier of innovative client driven programs for the region's homeless population diagnosed with chronic mental illnesses.

In 1996 in a quiet older Shreveport neighborhood, they opened REACH, a nine bed facility to serve the most intractable of the homeless population, clients diagnosed with co-occurring disorders: 1) a mental illness, and 2) substance abuse such as drug use or alcoholism. Once at REACH, clients progress through a two-year, individualized program with four goals: abstinence from substance abuse, mental health stability, permanent housing, and attainment of entitlements and employment. The program also encourages clients to create their own personal goals - a crucial step toward independence.

In 1998 down the street from REACH, "BRIDGES" was established, a ten-bed "safe haven" designed for the mentally ill homeless who are unwilling or unable to participate in mental health programs and community-based services. For those who have been living on the streets with a mental illness, the transition to permanent housing can be a shock. BRIDGES provides a small, highly supportive environment where an individual can find shelter and be subject to relatively few service demands. Eventually, once clients become comfortable and are engaged by staff and other program participants, they are more willing to participate in mental health, substance abuse and other treatment and supportive services.

Offering permanent housing for clients with chronic mental illness, Community Support Programs developed Virginia Place in 2005 through a HUD Section 811 grant - supportive housing for persons with disabilities. Leveraged with funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, private donations from local businesses and individuals, and the commitment of social services from state and local service providers, Virginia Place opened its doors in January, 2005, offering permanent housing to 14 persons with stable, manageable mental illness. A resident manager available on-site 24 hours a day helps residents remain stable and independent. A large community room adjacent to the manager's unit offers recreational activities and convenient access to social services. All three developments blend seamlessly in to the surrounding neighborhood.

But there was still a piece missing: A place for persons who have difficulty living in an SRO or group setting; housing for homeless, mentally ill adults requiring more assistance than the independent living environment of a Section 811 development like Virginia Place. The answer: Crossroads II, supportive housing with an intensive and extensive case management component to link residents with mainstream services. Unlike the more independent living model of a Section 811, residents are required to attend all psychiatric and physical health appointments and participate in treatment. Staff ensures that residents take their prescribed medications. With funding from HUD McKinney Act resources, city of Shreveport HOME funds, the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency and a Bancorp South mortgage, the development was completed in April, 2009 and completely occupied by May. Operating funds for support services are provided through HUD Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Funds.

This four tiered approach to serving the homeless mentally ill is a unique and innovative model developed by CSP. Staffed by licensed, trained and certified staff experienced in working with the mentally ill, they are dedicated to this segment of the homeless population often ignored or overlooked. "All of our programs aim to enable individuals and families to function as independently as possible - providing a resource point from which our clients can address their own needs. Our dual goals of independence and individuality mean that we design our programs to fit the individual - not make the individual fit our programs." For the mentally ill homeless at REACH, BRIDGES, Virginia Place and Crossroads, there is a place off the streets, and help, and hope.

CSP also provides services to abused and neglected children, their families, and foster care families in northwest Louisiana and develops housing for low-income and disabled families. Community Support Programs, Inc. is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit and Community Housing Development Corporation CHDO, with the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency and the City of Shreveport.