The Creative Housing Initiative Pilot Project (CHIPP) is a pilot project to demonstrate the effectiveness of permanent supportive housing in Montgomery County.  With the MC Department of Corrections and a local hospital, MCCH identified  homeless individuals who frequently use the emergency medical system or who have repeatedly been incarcerated in the local corrections system (often for “nuisance” crimes e.g. public drunkenness, loitering).  These individuals are provided  permanent housing in 16 one-bedroom apartments in Germantown.

In addition to providing CHIPP participants with a permanent home and supportive services, data has been collected from a wide variety of public systems of care for two years before, as well as the year following, the participants’ entrance into the project.  This information is being analyzed to determine the cost savings to the entire public system of care network resulting from the stability permanent supportive housing offers to individuals with multiple needs.  These program participants will be able to remain in housing and receive intensive supportive services after the project’s study portion is complete. 

Services include:  

• Intensive on-site case management
• Subsidized housing
• Fully furnished appartments
• Life skills training
• Assistance in acquiring a primary health care provider and accessing mental health and drug treatment services
• Assistance in obtaining benefits and entitlements
• Linkages to appropriate services available in the community including food, clothing, workforce development opportunities, psychiatric rehabilitation day programs

CHIPP, founded in 2008, is able to provide housing through condominiums owned and managed by MCCH’s affiliate Coalition Homes.