Opinion: Supportive housing in Westport: Who are these people?

N. suffers from major depression. She has a master's degree but cannot work due to her disabilities. One of our first supportive housing tenants, she's been with us for more than 12 years.

If you live in Westport, you probably know someone who has lost their bearings. Someone who suffers from depression, battles a tough addiction, or is devastated by a recent job loss. Maybe you know a neighbor's son who has a disabling genetic diagnosis, Asperger's Syndrome or bi-polar disorder. We've all felt their pain. Many of us have tried to help. Few would sit in judgment of their need for compassionate support.

Whatever their issues, those who need this kind of help sometimes find themselves homeless. Young, old, advantaged or disadvantaged, when in need they can find a welcoming place to stay right here in Westport. It's that kind of town.

Hundreds have stayed at emergency shelters in Westport over the last two decades. They've been offered professional counseling, help finding a job, access to medical care, assistance in getting benefits due them -- whatever they need to achieve independence -- and ultimately, a real home.

D. is a longtime Westport resident with mental health issues. Socially shy at first, he's been one of our supportive housing tenants for six years. Since 2008, he's volunteered daily at the Gillespie Center, "giving back" to Homes with Hope as an expression of his gratitude.

Living in a homeless shelter isn't anyone's idea of fun. Any homeless person will tell you that they deeply want to be self-supporting again, whether in an apartment, a house or their family home.

At Homes with Hope, what do we do? We focus on moving people from the emergency shelter system to permanent affordable supportive housing. We've been successful at it for so many years that thousands of people in Westport have generously supported our work. Who believes in our mission? Individuals, houses of worship, service organizations, businesses, corporations and foundations. They all help make our work possible.

S. has two children and suffers from anxiety. She has a child in the Westport schools and one at a community college. She works part-time and is a tenant in our newest supportive housing program. Once homeless, this family is glad to be living independently, and with our support, hopes to remain there.

If you've been homeless once, do you want to do it again? Anyone who makes it to supportive housing is invested in remaining there. They want meaningful work, good health and a productive life. With our services they are able to maintain these positive gains. We work to ensure that they are successful in making this critical transition.

How do we help them? We are in almost daily contact with supportive housing residents. They have easy access to our licensed and professional staff and our staff, to them. A recent government study found that supportive housing residents are extremely likely to stay housed and become good neighbors.

So, what do you really need to know about supportive housing? It's not a treatment program or a welfare hotel, or a government-run housing project. Most supportive housing programs are owned and operated by a nonprofit organization with a proven track record, one that is highly accountable to its neighbors. Our tenants are carefully screened to ensure that they are ready and able to live independently. They hold leases and pay rent while having access to the services they need to live independently.

At this point in time, misconceptions about supportive housing are all around us. As intelligent decision-makers, we must each weigh the need for affordable supportive housing in Westport. We must know who will provide the services and how they will be delivered. We must understand that the tenants in supportive housing are our brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors. We need to make decisions for our community that preserve its diversity and integrity. We need to know all the facts.

Cathy J. Cohen is interim executive director and Audrey D. Sparre is vice president and COO of Homes with Hope. Homes with Hope also works to prevent the tragedy of homelessness through its mentoring program, its Food Pantry, its PRIDE employment readiness program, and its Community Soup Kitchen, which offers free meals to anyone.