Program areas at Simpson Housing Services
Youth and family Housing: families who are experiencing homelessness receive intensive case management, advocacy Services, and subsidized rental Housing. Most of the families we work with have major barriers to their future Housing stability. Emphasis is placed on helping families quickly secure stable Housing. Individualized Services are focused on life skills, positive parenting, education, and employment to help families achieve long-term Housing stability and success. Uniquely, this program uses subsidized, supportive rental Housing for families with children, both site-based and scattered-site. In fiscal year 2023 we worked with 276 families with 558 children. We also worked with 38 youth, ages 18-24, at a site-based Housing program in fy2023.
Single adult Housing: Simpson provides support to single individuals who have experienced homelessness through three Housing programs: the women's Housing partnership, opportunity Housing partnership, and dale street place. Intensive support and advocacy Services are a key component of participant success. In fiscal year 2023, Simpson Housing Services provided permanent, subsidized, supportive rental Housing for a total of 206 single individuals who have been homeless long-term, programs include:the women's Housing partnership is a supportive Housing program for women who face long-term-homelessness. Staff work intensively with program participants to forge ongoing relationships that foster individual strength, Housing stability, and progress toward personal goals. Opportunity Housing partnership is a collaboration between Simpson, aeon, and avivo to provide supportive Services in two Housing communities in downtown minneapolis. The properties offer efficiency apartments for long-term homeless individuals. Residents are connected to ongoing case management and opportunities for community engagement. Dale street place is a collaboration between Simpson and trellis to provided increased supportive Services to residents at dale street place in st paul. The property offers efficiency apartments for long-term homeless individuals, people with disabilities, and low-income single adults. Residents are connected to either on-going case management and/or tenant Services coordination. As noted, the program manager for dale street place was hired in fy2023, and Services will begin on site in fy2024.
Emergency shelter: provides shelter to 64 single individuals, including a bed, three meals, Housing and benefit referral Services, showers, laundry, a savings program, employment listings, as well as mental and physical healthcare resources. A Housing navigator assists with assisting shelter guests to obtain Housing. Thousands of hours of service are provided by volunteers. In fiscal year 2023, 368 individuals, including 249 men and 119 women received a bed at the shelter, and 84 guests were moved directly from the shelter into stable Housing. In january 2023, we moved shelter operations to an interim site to make way for the new Simpson shelter and apartments, a modern and dignified facility that will replace the shelter and add 42 units of deeply affordable Housing. The new site is projected to open in 2025.
Children and youth Services: Simpson's dual focus on family support and children's programming is unique among organizations providing Services to families experiencing homelessness. Dedicated family support specialists help connect parents to our children and youth Services programs to provide specific support to children. In fiscal year 2023, 296 children participated in one or more of the following programs: early childhood, passage tutoring, and education support programs.early childhood program: the early childhood program uses a home visiting model to promote the healthy development of young children and their families. Goals for the program include on-track developmental growth, parental engagement in literacy and language activities, and placement in high-quality childcare. Staff partners with parents to provide the support and resources to ensure their children are ready for kindergarten through a combination of wellness, developmental, and educational support Services. Passage tutoring program: educational support advocates and highly trained literacy volunteers work closely with children and families to improve reading and academic skills through weekly tutoring specifically designed to meet the needs of each individual student. Goals for the program include improved academic performance, increased attendance, improved self-efficacy, and strong parental involvement in their child's education. Education support program: education support specialists partner with parents in scattered-site Housing to support their children's academic success, stability, and well-being. Goals for the program include increasing parental sense of self-efficacy as advocates for their children; increasing grades, attendance, and graduation rates; and supporting families to build community connections that will support their children after exiting Simpson. Es specialists may help parents with school enrollment, accessing special education Services, navigating teacher relationships, and supporting learning at home. They may also work with children to access enrichment activities, develop positive social-emotional skills, and access mental health resources.