Avivo’s Transitional Recovery Housing team links individuals graduating from treatment to permanent housing 

After graduating from Avivo’s treatment program, many individuals have trouble finding housing for a variety of reasons, shares Victoria Swain, Avivo’s Transitional Housing program manager.

“Housing is so important; it’s the concept of housing first. A lot of recovery participants at Avivo came in from homelessness and just have so much chaos going on in their lives,” shares Victoria. “Many leases require things like a six-month work history, income requirements two to three times the monthly rent, one or two years of rental history, and many don’t allow someone with an eviction to lease. That leaves individuals and families who have reached recovery in a tough spot.”

“Many leases require things like a six-month work history, income requirements two to three times the monthly rent, one or two years of rental history, and many don’t allow someone with an eviction to lease. That leaves individuals and families who have reached recovery in a tough spot.”

It’s because of those difficulties in finding housing that Victoria and her Transitional Recovery Housing team say they are dedicated to connecting individuals moving out of Avivo’s recovery housing to permanent housing. According to Victoria, the last year her team has connected 79 people moving out of Avivo’s temporary housing to permanent housing. Avivo staff also worked with many of those individuals to help them find employment, which will help them build a work history.

“That’s a huge deal — to see that stability begin to happen and the happiness that they have when they’re able to sign a lease or move into their own place,” Victoria adds. “A lot of people have never had that. Just being able to see that excitement and see the change they’ve made is really motivating.”

“That’s a huge deal — to see that stability begin to happen and the happiness that they have when they’re able to sign a lease or move into their own place,” Victoria adds. “A lot of people have never had that. Just being able to see that excitement and see the change they’ve made is really motivating.”

While in Avivo’s treatment program, participants have access to five apartment buildings Avivo operates, which provide fully furnished apartments. They also have access to Avivo’s housing case management and mental health services in addition to treatment services. When residents leave Avivo’s housing, Avivo is able to provide participants with positive rental references as well.

“We try to provide a safe recovery environment for all of our clients while they live here and go to treatment and try to rebuild their lives,” shares Victoria.

“Housing is a basic need. You have to have your basic needs met to be able to work on other things in your life, and if you’re homeless one of your basic needs isn’t being met.”