A Community of Friends

A Community of Friends is a charitable organization with a mission to end homelessness by offering quality permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness. The organization is committed to managing its buildings and supporting its tenants from the inception of a project until full occupancy. It provides permanent affordable housing with onsite supportive services to help tenants maintain stable housing. A Community of Friends has extensive experience in site identification, financial feasibility analysis, securing development financing, and project management. The organization oversees property management services, operating budgets, regulatory compliance, and lender and investor requirements across its properties. Onsite support services include individual case management, referral services, life skills classes, substance abuse recovery assistance, family support, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, and employment services. The organization values dignity, excellence, community, and equity, and it became a NeighborWorks America chartered member after an 18-month selection process. A Community of Friends strives to build environmentally-efficient, sustainable communities and encourages tenants to improve their body, mind, and spirit towards housing stability and self-sufficiency. The Tenant Advisory Council, founded in 2013, advocates for essential programs and initiatives within the organization and broader governmental platforms. The organization houses over 2,700 individuals and families, with approximately 99% of special needs tenants having a mental health, substance abuse, or physical disability. Over 95% of tenants have remained housed after one year, with 69% housed after three years. Services are provided either through the organization’s staff or collaborations with other agencies, including medication monitoring, health services, counseling, substance abuse recovery, and independent living skills. A Community of Friends manages several properties and has pipeline and consultant projects to expand its reach and impact.