Horizon House, Inc. is a non-profit corporation that runs the Promoting Readiness to Enable Parents to Achieve Residential Enrichment (PREPARE) program. PREPARE offers 60 units of transitional housing to homeless families. The 1260 Housing Development Corporation provides housing and Horizon House provides social services. The Office of Supportive Housing makes referrals.

PREPARE caters to homeless families where the head of the household has either a diagnosed mental health issue or is recovering from substance abuse. To deal with residents’ unique needs, a behavioral health clinician meets with each family prior to entering transitional housing to help place them in the correct facility. Case managers then work with families to create a plan for success and meet with each resident once a week for further assistance.

Staff members refer residents to appropriate agencies to help with health care, parenting instruction, childcare, and transportation. Behavioral health and life skill services are made available to residents on-site at the beginning of their program. Once residents achieve some stability they can start receiving services in the community, which helps them build responsibility and connections with others. Residents with a history of substance abuse are required to attend NA or AA. Those with mental health issues receive care on-site and at partnered institutions. Adult residents are also referred to the Protecting All Children through Education program, which helps parents with behavioral problems understand how they might harm their children.

A benefits manager works with residents to create a savings plan and help rehabilitate damaged credit scores. Vocational training and help achieving a GED are also available to ensure that residents can obtain gainful employment. PREPARE works with HUD to help residents move into permanent housing, including buying their own home. For residents with additional needs that prevent them from living independently PREPARE provides referrals to subsidized housing plus care programs like Access to Alternative Services or the Good Neighbors Make Good Neighborhoods Program.

One Neighborhood developed this summary. If you are an employee of Horizon House, Inc., contact hello@oneneighborhood.org to update this page.