Housing and Support

Unity House offers several housing options so that adults with mental illness, people with HIV/AIDS, people who are homeless, and victims of domestic violence can live safely and self sufficiently in the community with dignity and independence.

Housing services are provided on an individual’s level of functioning and personal choice at the least restrictive level of care.

Business hours for Housing Support Services, located at 2431 6th Avenue in Troy, are weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Housing and Support Services Programs

  • Case Management Services

    Unity House’s Housing and Support Services Program provides ongoing case management services for adults living with mental illness, and/or people with chemical abuse.

    Adults Living with Mental Illness and/or Chemical Abuse

    Case Management Services works with both young adults and adults with mental illness and chemical abuse. Unity House staff meet with people to assess their service needs and provide case management services including making referrals and coordinating care. If the individual requires Unity House’s Community Residence Services, the case manager continues to work with him/her in the community. Individuals may remain with family or in an independent apartment if they chose. Case managers provide direct service 1-3 times per week, based on an individual’s need. The level of service is diverse and intensive and may include: independent living skills training, obtaining and maintaining housing, utilities and employment, coordinating with providers and connecting clients to community resources. Services continue on a time-limited basis until services are no longer needed.

    Admission Criteria for Case Management for Adults Living with Mental Illness and/or Chemical Abuse:

    Young adult case management

    • Individuals must be 17-24 years of age.
    • Have a primary psychiatric diagnosis.
    • Priority is granted to Rensselaer County residents.

    Chemical Abuse (MICA) Case Management

    • Individuals must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Have a primary psychiatric and substance abuse diagnosis.

    To make a referral, please contact the Housing Support Services at 518.272-1611, x4182.

  • Community Housing Assistance Program  (CHAP)

    The Unity House Community Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) provides comprehensive case management services including assistance in securing and maintaining permanent housing. Through a network of support services, home visits, daily living skills training, symptom management and social skills development, services are tailored to meet individual needs.

    Other information:

    • Rent stipends are provided based on consumer income.
    • No program fee.

    Admission Criteria:

    • Mental health and/or substance abuse diagnosis.
    • HUD defined homeless.
    • Income eligible.
    • Able to self-medicate.
    • Able to maintain an apartment in the community.

    For intake or more information, call the Housing Support Services Program Director at 518.272.1611 x4182.

  • Community Residence Services

    The Unity House Community Residences are transitional housing programs for adults living with mental illness. THe programs provide a structured, supportive environment for individuals to learn daily living skills such as cooking, medication management, budgeting and personal care. Individuals are integrated into the community by engagement with off-site outpatient treatment and community supports/activities at a pace commensurate with individual choice, tolerance, and coping abilities. The Community Residences are regulated by the NY State Office of Mental Health (OMH).

    Other information:

    • Intensive rehabilitation services are provided in 24/7 staffed residences located in the community.
    • Individual Services Plans are created and cover: Assertiveness/Self Advocacy Training, Community Integration Services/Resource Development, Parenting Training, Rehabilitation Counseling, Skill Development Services, Socialization, Substance Abuse Services, and Symptom Management.
    • Other services include practicing how to be a successful housemate/tenant/community member, entitlements assistance, and coordination of services with other community providers.
    • Program fee based upon income.
    • As individuals increase their independence and acquire skills, they may transition to a less structured setting.

    Admission Criteria:

    • Primary psychiatric diagnosis.
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Must be a resident of Rensselaer County.
    • Affiliation with an outpatient mental health treatment provider.

    To make a referral or to obtain more information, please contact the Assistant Director/Transitional Housing and Support Services at 518.274.2607 x4165.

  • Supported Housing

    The Unity House Supported Housing Program is available to adults living with mental illness, people living with HIV/AIDS or victims of domestic violence.

    Adults Living with Mental Illness

    The Supported Housing Program for adults living with mental illness provides comprehensive case management services including assistance in securing and maintaining permanent housing and a network of support services, home visits, daily living skills training, symptom management and social skills development.

    Admission Criteria for Supported Housing for Adults Living with Mental Illness:

    • Mental health diagnosis.
    • Income eligible.
    • Ability to self-medicate and maintain an apartment in the community.

    For intake or more information, call the Housing Support Services Program Director at 518.272.1611 x4188.

    People Living with HIV/AIDS

    The Supported Housing Program for people living with HIV/AIDS provides assistance in securing and maintaining safe, permanent housing as well as housing case management services including home visits, individualized service plans, living skills training, transportation to medical/treatment providers, advocacy and referrals.

    Admission Criteria for Supported Housing for People Living with HIV/AIDS:

    • Diagnosis of HIV + or living with AIDS.
    • Homeless or unstably housed.
    • Ability to self-preserve.

    For intake or more information, call the Housing Support Services Director at 518.272.1611 x4153.

    Victims of Domestic Violence

    The Supported Housing Program for victims of domestic violence provides comprehensive case management services including affordable housing and assistance in securing and maintaining safe permanent housing, home visits, life skills training, advocacy, referrals, legal services, support services, safety planning and individual counseling.

    Admission Criteria for Supported Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence:

    • Victim of domestic violence, homeless, mental health diagnosis and/or substance abuse.
    • Must be income eligible.

    For intake or more information, call Domestic Violence Emergency Services Director at 518.272.5917.

    Other information related to all three programs:

    • Services are client-centered and tailored to meet individual needs.
    • Rent stipends provided based on consumer income.
    • No program fee.

  • Situational Crisis Bed

    The Unity House Situational Crisis Bed serves adults living with mental illness in need of transitional services to avert a crisis. The Crisis Bed serves as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization for people experiencing acute symptoms of their mental illness, and is located in an apartment treatment site with access to 24/7 staffing. Services provided include: crisis management, medication supervision and coordination with treatment team/community support network.

     

    To make a referral or to obtain more information, please contact the Assistant Director/Transitional Housing and Support Services at 518.274.2607 x4165.

  • Transitional Apartment Service (TAS)

    The Unity House Transitional Apartment Services Program (TAS) is a transitional housing program that serves adults living with mental illness. The program provides case management services in apartment treatment sites located in safe, secure, furnished apartments in the community. Individuals are integrated into the community by engagement with off-site outpatient treatment and community supports/activities at a pace commensurate with individual choice, tolerance and coping abilities. Services are provided through home visits up to 7 days a week, based upon individual needs. TAS is regulated by the NY State Office of Mental Health (OMH).

    Other information:

    • Rehabilitative services are provided in a variety of settings, including 24/7 staffed single site, clustered/scattered sites or scattered site locations.
    • Individual Services Plans are created and cover: Assertiveness/Self Advocacy Training, Community Integration Services/Resource Development, Daily Living Skills Training, Health Services, Medication Management and Training, Parenting Training, Rehabilitation Counseling, Skill Development Services, Socialization, Substance Abuse Services, and Symptom Management.
    • Other services include practicing how to be a successful housemate/tenant/community member, entitlements assistance, and coordination of services with other community providers.
    • Program fee based upon income.
    • As individuals increase their independence and acquire skills, they may transition to a less structured setting.

    Admission Criteria:

    • Primary psychiatric diagnosis.
    • Affiliation with an outpatient mental health treatment provider.
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Must be a resident of Rensselaer County.

    To make a referral or to obtain more information, please contact the Assistant Director/Transitional Housing and Support Services at 518.274.2607 x4165.

  • Health Home

    As a Care Management Agency (CMA), Unity House offers Health Home Care Coordination services.

    Not an Actual Home

    A ´Health Home´ is not a physical place; it is assistance for Medicaid recipients to ensure they get the care and services needed to stay healthy. Participants work with a care manager to develop a care plan, mapping out a road to better health. Eligibility includes:

    • Active Medicaid
    • Two or more chronic conditions (e.g., Substance Use Disorder, Asthma, Diabetes*) OR
    • One single qualifying chronic condition: HIV/AIDS or
    • Serious Mental Illness (SMI) (Adults)

    You can download the Health Home Program of NYS brochure and visit their website.

    For intake or to obtain more information, please contact Program Director of Health Home Care Coordination Services at 518.271.2607 x 4174

  • The ACT Team Coming Soon

    NOTE: The ACT Team at Unity House is not yet offering services. This page is in draft form.

    The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team will provide individualized services to adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness that impairs their functioning in the community. It is designed for adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness who have a history of a lack of engagement in, or inability to benefit from, traditional outpatient services.

    Services may include:

    Comprehensive assessment, intensive treatment, medication management, housing supports, service planning & coordination, wellness management, skill around tasks of daily living, substance abuse treatment, vocational skills training, self-advocacy, and family counseling.

    Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is:

    • the highest level of care outside an in-patient setting
    • a multi-disciplinary team providing individualized services in the community or home.
    • 24/7 care and continuity of care that can be open-ended and lifelong.
    • treatment that is holistic, integrated, with low client to staff ratio
    • outreach that is assertive and available 24 hours a day.
    • designed for people who have not had success in other treatment models.
    • persists in the face of failure.

    Who qualifies for the services the ACT Team will provide?
    The ACT Team:

    Is county based. The ACT Team based at Unity House is for adult residents of Rensselaer County or southern Saratoga County. For other counties, please check with your county department of health.

    Will give priority to adults with schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders (e.g., schizoaffective disorder), bipolar disorder, or major/chronic depression.

    Is for adults living with severe and persistent mental illness that seriously impairs functioning in the community. Or, two hospitalizations within 12 months or 60 days.

    May be court-ordered pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) §9.60 to participate in AOT

    Other criteria may apply

    No person shall be excluded from receiving ACT services based on race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, HIV status.

    How will a referral be made to the ACT Team?

    All referrals to the ACT team must be forwarded to and reviewed by the County SPOA Coordinator who will get them to the ACT Team to process.

    Where will the services of the ACT Team be delivered?

    Based at Unity House in Troy, the ACT Team will provide services in the home and community. Services will around the clock.

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