Housing First Program, opened in August 2009.

At the center of the AHI housing efforts is the new 14-unit Seebol Place facility completed in mid-August. Seebol Place is a “housing first” program designed for people with AIDS who are homeless. The program is meant to house people first and then provide all the support services to take care of their other problems. Residents are screened and assessed to determine if there are substance abuse issues and then enrolled into an intensive life skills program. The three goals of the program are for the resident to maintain long-term housing,improve their health, and become fully integrated into the community.

Residents and AHI staff develop a housing plan of care that includes life skills counseling and educational sessions and sign a 30-day housing program agreement. The resident commits themselves to the intensive skills program for a period of 30 days, after which they revise the plan until they complete the full 90-day program.

Seebol Place partners include the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Florida Department of Children and There has been a lot of excitement, and a lot of questions, concerning AIDS housing projects during 2009! There is a lot to be excited about. Seebol Place Families, the Southernmost Homeless Assistance League, Inc. (SHAL), the Sheriff’s Asset Forfeiture Fund, and the Monroe County SHIP Office.