Recovery Innovations Arizona

Community Living

Community Living. Our "housing-first" program is based on the belief that everyone, regardless of their challenges or past experiences has the right to a home of their choice in the community. Having a home of your own is a core part of recovery. Recovery Innovations of Arizona’s community living programs provide the skills and supports to help people not only succeed in community living but become “housing self-sufficient” by paying for their own housing.

Community Building. This program opened in October 2002 with the goal to help people recover in housing of their choice, become reintegrated into the community and assume the role of full citizenship. Community Building combines

  • supported housing,
  • recovery education,
  • employment supports, and
  • peer support with a recovery coach.

The only requirement for enrollment is currently receiving ValueOptions case management services and a willingness to participate. The focus of referrals is people who are institutionalized in 24 hour residential care and hospitals. A special co-recovery track is available for those with both mental health and substance use issues. Assistance is provided in finding and leasing an apartment of the person’s choice, and a stipend to pay a portion of their rent. As participants develop improved recovery skills, it is expected that they will be able to become self-sufficient and not need the rent stipend.

 

During the first two years of the program,

  • 95% of the participants in the program obtained independent community housing by securing their own apartmen leases,

  • 77% of the participants achieved the goal of housing self-sufficiency and no longer needed the housing subsidy after one year in the program. This amazing achievement happened as people recovered and found ways to take responsibility for their own needs. Income increased through employment, people found roommates to share housing costs, and others were reunited with families.

  • The average daily cost for the program is $44.00 per participant.