Board Strategic Plan Leadership
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ABOUT US Our History Over 25 years ago, hospitals for people living with mental illness were being closed in favor of community-based housing. Unfortunately, few support systems were in place and many of those released into the community became homeless. Without a stable place to live, and without a support system to help them address their underlying problems, the symptoms of their illnesses became more profound. They were homeless, without support, without hope. In reaction, families and other concerned citizens established Harbor Homes, Inc. to address the specialized needs of the chronically homeless - people experiencing long-term or repeated homelessness accompanied by a disability such as mental illness. Timeline 1980 - Harbor Homes incorporated. 1982 - First 9 bed group home, Winter Street, opens to address the specialized needs of the chronically homeless adults in the Greater Nashua, N.H. area. 1984 - Gathering Place established to provide resources and activities for mentally ill and homeless individuals. 1986 –Allds Street opens, a 17-bed independent living and support services for mentally ill adults and their families. 1988 – Chestnut Street 24/7 staffed group home for adults with mental illness opens 1988 – Maple Street supportive housing opens, 10-bed independent apartment living for mentally ill adults and their families. 1989 - Emergency Shelter established to provide safe temporary living accommodations in a homelike atmosphere for homeless individual or family. 1991 – Permanent Housing II established, 15 units 19-bed independent apartment living for mentally ill adults and their families. 1994 – Supportive Housing Scattered Housing Program established, 31 units, 39-bed independent living for mentally ill adults and their families 1995 - Safe Haven established to serve people who are homeless and have a serious untreated mental illness; a 5-bed congregate living facility. 1995 – Employment Services Program (E.S.P.) established to provide work opportunity, training, and employment support. 1995 – Permanent Housing III providing 28 units, 39-beds of independent living for homeless mentally ill and/or HIV positive adults and families. 1995 – Affordable Housing (HOME) 5 units, 1-3 bedroom apartments for low-income individuals and families. 1998 – Family Emergency Shelter, 2 unit 8-bed with support services for homeless individual or family. 2000 – Permanent Housing IV, 10 units, 12-beds for individuals with mental illness and/or dually diagnosed. 2001 – Mainstream Housing established to provide long-term affordable housing for low-income clients (and their families), 75 Section 8 vouchers. 2003 – Veteran’s F.I.R.S.T. established to provide safe, stable transitional housing for honorably discharged homeless veterans, complemented by supportive services. 9-bedroom communal living facility opens in January ’04. 2006 – Harbor Homes administrative offices moves to 45 High Street, Nashua, N.H. 2006 – Gathering Place renamed Connections and moves to 45 High Street. Program evolves into a goal-oriented peer support program helping people who are homeless and/or mentally ill by providing classes, training, support groups and peer support. 2007 – Buckingham Place, a program of Veteran’s F.I.R.S.T. opens providing 20 additional apartments for honorably discharged homeless veterans and their families. One of the first homeless veteran housing programs to shelter men, women, and children under one roof in the country. |
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