What is Supportive Housing?
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara, the Sanctuary Centers Supportive Housing program provides independence and a sense of community to our clients in the form of beautiful and affordable, large studio apartments. To help navigate their mental illness, our tenants are provided with case-management services at our Outpatient Mental Health Center, only a few steps from their front door. Our tenants also have access to various outpatient services, in addition to the services at our Integrated Care Clinic and the Co-Occurring Disorders programs, should the need arise.
When Does Someone Need Supportive Housing?
The Supportive Housing program at Sanctuary Centers is designed specifically for individuals with a mental illness who are able to live in the community, functionally and independently. Every tenant receives additional supportive services designed to help them better handle their responsibilities and feel more functional in the community. This program is often appropriate for clients who are transitioning out of Mental Health Inpatient Care
What to Expect
The Supportive Housing program is designed to provide a sober, safe, and healthy environment that addresses the psychological issues and needs of our tenants. Tenants are surrounded by understanding peers and neighbors. A compassionate landlord gladly serves on the premises. As always, despite any changes in life circumstances that may arise due to mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders – including hospitalizations – Supportive Housing remains permanent for tenants.
In order to qualify for the Supportive Housing program, tenants are required to be active in the community for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Those activities can include school/classes, volunteer activities, employment, group or individual therapy, and psychiatry sessions, in any combination. We also require that our tenants maintain their prescribed medication schedule if they are receiving psychiatric treatment.
Tenants in our Supportive Housing program have access to the following services:
- Permanent affordable housing in a safe and secure environment
- Case management, with included referrals to Mental Health Outpatient Care services and the Integrated Care Clinic at Sanctuary Centers, in addition to other services within the community.
- Socialization and empowerment opportunities via Tenant Council meetings.
- In-Home Supportive Services.
Our Apartment Buildings
Mental Health Supportive Housing is comprised of two unique apartment buildings:
Arlington Apartments
Situated in downtown Santa Barbara next door to our Outpatient Mental Health Center and Integrated Care Clinic, this three story, 28-unit apartment building is walking distance to public transportation and all of the shopping and restaurants on State Street. These attractive, large studio apartments all include a fully equipped kitchenette and walk-in closets.
Hollister Apartments
Near our Outpatient Mental Health Center and Integrated Care Clinic, this renovated two story, 8-unit apartment building is also located in downtown Santa Barbara, walking distance to public transportation and all of the shopping and restaurants on State Street. The studio apartments at Hollister all include a larger eat-in kitchen and walk-in closets.
How Much Does It Cost for Mental Health Supportive Housing?
We offer two payment options for our Arlington Apartments:
- Private pay tenants are accepted after graduation from our in-patient program
- Section 8 voucher holders of low-income with a diagnosed DSM mental health condition
The Hollister is a Project-Based Section 8 Program, a rental payments assistance program administered by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Therefore, the Hollister Project-Based Section 8 is non-transferrable and cannot be used for other Section 8 housing.
Persons with a mental health disability are eligible for Project-Based Section 8 at the Hollister Apartments.
A person with a mental health disability is someone who:
- Has a mental illness as defined by the DSM, other than a primary substance use disorder or developmental disorder, and
- As a result of the disorder has symptoms or a substantial functional impairment in independent living, social relationships, or vocational skills or physical condition; or alternately has a psychiatric history demonstrating that without treatment there is imminent risk of decompensating to the point of having substantial impairments or symptoms; and
- As a result of the functional impairment is eligible for public assistance, services, or entitlements.
How Do I Get Started with Mental Health Supportive Housing?
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Mail Rental Application to:
Property Management
Sanctuary Centers
P.O. Box 551, Santa Barbara, CA 93102 -
Questions or Inquiries
Please call (805) 569-2785