Housing and Stability
A Path to Healing Begins With Housing, Stability, and Support
Housing and Stability
Safe and secure housing is the cornerstone of mental health recovery and overall well-being. When individuals lack a stable home, daily life becomes focused on survival rather than healing. The uncertainty of where to sleep, eat, or feel safe can intensify symptoms of mental illness, increase anxiety, and make treatment difficult to sustain.
A stable home provides more than four walls — it offers safety, dignity, and a renewed sense of self-worth. It is a space where individuals can rest, reflect, and begin to rebuild their lives. Safe housing establishes the foundation upon which meaningful recovery can take root, allowing people to focus on therapy, medication management, personal goals, and connection with others.
Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed Design
At The Wendellman Foundation, we understand that the environment plays a powerful role in recovery. For individuals living with mental health challenges, housing is not just a physical space — it is a place of safety, healing, and renewal. Our approach to housing design is both person-centered and trauma-informed, ensuring that every element supports emotional well-being and dignity.
Person-centered design means creating spaces that reflect the unique needs, preferences, and goals of each individual. We recognize that no two recovery journeys are alike. Our housing environments are flexible, respectful of personal choice, and designed to promote autonomy — empowering residents to take ownership of their lives and healing.
Trauma-informed design acknowledges that many individuals we serve have experienced trauma, instability, or loss. Our housing intentionally avoids triggers and fosters a sense of calm, trust, and control. Features such as natural lighting, private and communal spaces, soft colors, and clear layouts create environments that feel safe and restorative. Staff are trained to engage residents with empathy and understanding, reinforcing an atmosphere of respect and compassion.
By combining person-centered care with trauma-informed principles, we create homes that do more than meet physical needs — they nurture hope, build resilience, and restore the sense of security every person deserves.
The Role of Housing at Every Step of the Recovery Process
At The Wendellman Foundation, we recognize that recovery from serious mental illness is not one-size-fits-all. Stable housing must meet people where they are — offering safety, structure, and support at every stage of the healing process. Each type of housing plays a vital role in building stability and independence.
1. Emergency or Crisis Housing: Safety First
In the earliest stage of recovery, the priority is safety and stabilization.
Emergency housing provides immediate shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, or a mental health crisis. These environments are designed to offer short-term refuge — a safe place to rest, access basic needs, and connect with crisis intervention services.
At this stage, the goal is to ensure physical and emotional safety while beginning to address urgent mental health and support needs.
2. Transitional Housing: Building Stability
Once immediate safety is secured, individuals can move into transitional housing, where recovery gains structure and consistency.
These programs typically offer a supportive environment with case management, counseling, and skill-building services. Residents work toward personal goals — such as treatment engagement, financial planning, and employment preparation — while developing confidence and daily living skills.
Transitional housing bridges the gap between crisis care and long-term independence, helping individuals prepare for sustained wellness.
3. Supportive Housing: Recovery with Wraparound Care
Supportive housing combines permanent housing with access to ongoing services, such as therapy, medication management, and peer support.
This model acknowledges that some individuals need continued assistance to maintain stability. By integrating housing with mental health services, supportive housing reduces relapse, hospitalizations, and homelessness — fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Here, recovery becomes sustainable, supported by long-term care and connection.
4. Independent or Permanent Housing: Sustained Recovery and Empowerment
In the final stage, individuals are ready to live independently, supported by the skills, stability, and confidence gained through earlier stages.
Permanent housing offers true autonomy — a space to live, work, and thrive in the community with optional access to ongoing support as needed. It represents empowerment, dignity, and self-determination — the hallmarks of lasting recovery.
Emergency or Crisis Housing
Safe Homes, Stronger Futures
Your contribution goes beyond meeting basic needs—it empowers individuals to reclaim their independence and dignity. By supporting vital programs like safe housing, education, job training, and mental health services, you’re helping individuals build a sustainable future.
Cornerstone of Recovery - Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is essential for individuals facing mental health challenges, serving as a critical foundation for stability, well-being, and recovery. Without access to affordable, secure housing, many experience chronic stress, housing instability, or homelessness—factors that exacerbate mental health conditions and create barriers to treatment and self-sufficiency.
Why Affordable Housing Matters
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in the United States, a full-time worker earning minimum wage can only afford about 30% of the rental homes available at fair market rent. This affordability gap leaves millions vulnerable to housing instability. (Source - National Low Income Housing Coalition)
Research consistently shows that high housing cost burdens (paying more than 30% of income on rent) are associated with increased risks of eviction, food insecurity, poor health outcomes, and exacerbated mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression. For people with serious mental illness (SMI), stable affordable housing reduces hospitalization and emergency service use by up to 50%. (Source – National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2023)
Housing First Initiatives
Housing First Initiatives: This evidence-based approach prioritizes providing permanent affordable housing without preconditions such as sobriety or treatment compliance. Studies show Housing First reduces homelessness by over 80% and improves mental health outcomes. The approach is widely adopted by organizations like Pathways to Housing and supported by HUD.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Combining affordable housing with wraparound support services (mental health care, substance use counseling, employment assistance) PSH programs have demonstrated reduced hospitalizations, criminal justice involvement, and enhanced quality of life for tenants.
Local & State Affordable Housing Programs:
Local & State Affordable Housing Programs: Many communities have launched voucher programs, rent subsidies, and dedicated affordable housing developments targeting people with disabilities, veterans, and those exiting institutional care
The Wendellman Foundation’s Commitment
We are dedicated to expanding access to affordable, safe housing as a key strategy to end homelessness and promote mental health recovery. Our initiatives focus on advocating for policy change, partnering with developers to increase affordable housing stock, and delivering supportive services that empower individuals to sustain housing and rebuild lives.
Safe Homes, Stronger Futures
Hope In Action Center News
Discover stories of change, updates on our work, and key milestones from our foundation — where every step moves us closer to providing stability, dignity, and hope for those living with serious mental health disorders