Missouri Department of Mental Health

Since 1994, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) has provided affordable housing for individuals with disabilities through the Shelter Plus Care (SPC) program, initially launched with grants from HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Starting in St. Louis, DMH has expanded SPC statewide, offering Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to those experiencing chronic homelessness, particularly individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SMI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and co-occurring conditions.

DMH's SPC program serves vulnerable populations, including the LGBTQIA community and those facing significant barriers to stable housing. Following Housing First principles, the program does not require income, sobriety, or participation in services for entry and supports individuals with criminal histories. DMH leverages external funding to enhance project capacity, keeping all HUD funds with local subrecipients.

The program effectively reduces homelessness by shortening time spent homeless, preventing returns to homelessness, and connecting participants to employment opportunities. Partnerships with organizations like KC Scholars and SkillUp further support participants in achieving their goals. As part of the Continuum of Care (CoC), DMH benefits from connections with other service providers, enhancing its impact on reducing homelessness.