What Is Safe Haven?

Safe Haven is an innovative approach to solving the challenge of chronic homelessness.  Specifically, Safe Havens offer permanent supportive housing for men and women who otherwise would remain on the street for years due to disabilities.

Why Does St. Louis Need It?

St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay and County Executive Charlie Dooley pledged to end chronic homelessness in the City and County by 2015. The chronically homeless population makes up roughly 10% of the homeless population on any given day in St. Louis.  However, this small share of the homeless population uses 50% of all community resources used by homeless people. Peter & Paul’s Safe Haven would be a nationally-proven, highly cost-effective way to achieve a better life for those who are chronically homeless and a better city and county, as well.

How Is It Different?

(Chronic: adj. persistent, unremitting, unrelieved, characterized by long suffering)

While most programs today help the general homeless population to steady their lives, learn skills to succeed and move back to productive society, those who are chronically homeless aren't being reached.  These are the people who live on the streets for years and years, many with mental illness, who are unable or unwilling to accept any help that is offered.  Our mission at Peter & Paul Community Services for over 28 years has been to end the cycle of chronic homelessness in St. Louis. 

Our proposed Safe Haven will offer 25 private bedrooms, communal dining and recreational space to chronically homeless, severely mentally ill men and women. 

Twenty-four hour staffing will include a psychiatric nurse, a licensed clinical social worker, an occupational therapist and substance abuse counselor, as well as hospitality staff to monitor medications and provide oversight. 

Your Dollars At Work

Your financial support will transform lives! Your charitable donation will make it possible to bring about effective change in the lives of those who need it most.  Homeless, severely mentally ill men and women who are struggling with addiction will receive vital services dramatically improving their health while empowering them to become independent.

How Much Will the Project Cost?

Fundraising Goal = $3,000,000

Peter & Paul Community Services is committed to raising the $3 million necessary to purchase, renovate and open a facility. 

In the past year, we have taken significant steps toward the goal of opening a Safe Haven.  First, the Federal Housing & Urban Development Agency (HUD) selected our application for funding.  The grant contains $400,000 for acquisition and rehab of a facility, and over $2 million over a three-year period for operations and supportive services to run the program.  Second, to date we have raised $577,000 through private gifts.  Third, the Missouri Development Housing Commission has allocated $350,000 to our project, the largest grant in 2008.

We still need to raise $2 million to make this dream a reality.  Will you consider making a special gift to our Safe Haven initiative?

Do Safe Havens Work?

A Safe Haven encompasses two innovative approaches to working with people who are chronically homeless:

The Housing First Principle offers an immediate exit from homelessness with no strings attached.  The Safe Haven is home.  This model meets people where they are at and provides the most basic of human needs.  Once a person has a stable home, s/he can begin to address what causes their homelessness.

An ACT team (Assertive Community Treatment) will work closely with residents to deliver clinical professional assistance that will include psychiatric care, occupational therapy, substance abuse counseling and other community based services.  Because a resident's housing is assured, the network can provide the services and supports necessary for residents to remain in stable housing and better their quality of life.

Are Safe Havens Cost-Effective?

In addition to providing vulnerable citizens a sense of dignity and safety, Safe Havens make economic sense.

A 2002 landmark study of homeless people with serious mental illness found that, on average, each homeless person utilized over $40,000 annually in publically funded shelter, hospital, emergency room, prison, jail and outpatient health care.

When people are placed in permanent supportive housing, the public cost declines dramatically, saving taxpayers millions of dollars.  Clearly, a homeless person costs the community more money if the person remains on the street.

Will You Be a Part of the Solution?

WE NEED YOU

TO MAKE THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT

A REALITY!

Please support our effort by making a finanacial committment to Peter & Paul Community Services. 

Mail checks to 1025 Park Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63104

Make a donation online by clicking here

or call 314-588-7111 Ext. 202 to discuss a major gift to support the project.

PPCS Non Profit EIN#43-1349643

Partnering Agencies

Many thanks to the following agencies who have pledged their support in services totaling $1,624,906 for our Safe Haven residents:

West Pine Pharmacy, Preferred Family Healthcare, St. Patrick Center, Independence Center, Community Alternatives, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Places for People, The Missouri Department of Social Services, Adapt of Missouri, BJC Behavioral Health and the Empowerment Center.

© 2004 Peter & Paul Community Services, Inc.
1025 Park Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63104-3720
314.588.7111 fax:314.621.9875
ppcsinc@ppcsinc.org