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Program Description |
DePalmer House provides transitional housing for homeless persons who are living with HIV/AIDS. The primary goal of this program is to provide an environment and level of services, which will enable residents to attain and maintain safe, affordable permanent housing of their choice. DePalmer House, which opened in 1994, serves adults who are homeless and HIV positive. Program clients are at various stages of medical illness. DePalmer House residents served typically fall in the age range between 21-50. Most individuals have been single and below the poverty level.
At least 92% of the clients served at DePalmer House are individuals in recovery from chemical addiction. At least two-thirds of the consumers served possess a diagnosed, and often untreated, co-existing psychiatric disorder. Many have had previous, recurrent episodes of homelessness.
DePalmer House is centrally located on the west side of Syracuse and is maintained as a confidential site. The two-story house consists of ten beds with a full kitchen and dining room, two living rooms, three and ½ baths and one handicapped accessible room located on the first floor along with a full basement, complete with storage. In addition, there are two staff offices, which serve as discrete counseling areas. The program is staffed 24 hours a day by a program supervisor, senior counselor, three house counselors, including an awake overnight counselor, and four part-time relief staff.
Supportive services offered within the program have enabled residents to address longstanding addiction issues that impede their ability to meet their housing needs. Other services assist residents with complying with the newer HIV treatments available allowing more fragile residents to improve their health to the point of being able to move into independent housing. DePalmer House program staff provide a variety of support services to meet the special needs of the population served.
DePalmer House offers linkages with social services, nutrition programs, local case management programs, chemical dependency treatment and mental health programs, health care, the Designated HIV Care Center, transportation, and other HIV / AIDS services and resources.
Eligibility is determined through the intake process. Applicants must provide documentation of their HIV status and of recent tuberculosis testing. They must be homeless or have inadequate housing, and must verify their current financial status. Applicants are required to attest in writing their willingness to participate actively in their service plan and abide by program rules. Referrals are routinely accepted from various sources, including hospitals, case management agencies, correctional facilities, drug rehab centers, other area shelters and self-referrals.
At DePalmer House, all consumers’ goals include self-sufficiency and the attainment of permanent housing. The program staff assess each individual for needed services and assist them to make linkages.
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