Danbury officials are looking to increase supportive housing residential program units.  An affiliate of the Housing Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for 98A Elm Street.  The Health and Human Services Department has submitted a proposal, but it wasn't immediately reviewed because the City Council had to approve the plan.  That approval came Tuesday night. 

Director Lisa Morrisey says supportive housing combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services. 

She notes that they have to talk with the Housing Authority about whether the multi-family home also on the property will be required to come down as part of the project.  The Housing Authority has to meet certain federal Housing and Urban Development requirements and HUD has to review the plans.

Morrisey hopes to open the doors by the end of summer and start taking people in, but couldn't commit to a timeline.

The proposal recommends 14 beds instead of the zoned 20.  Staff will monitor the site to ensure safety of residents and site.  Staff does not sleep or live there, they are hired to work and will make sure visitors do not stay overnight.  Some of the wrap around services include vocational training, job searches, and case management.

Morrisey says people with mental illness, chronic health conditions, histories of trauma and other struggles often end up in crisis situations while living on the streets, and emergency rooms and interaction with public safety officers may be the only care they are able to access. This, in turn, leads to greater strain on social services, health care and public safety systems.