MCHOME Homeless Services

MCHOME is the only program in Monterey County that provides both:

• outreach to homeless adults with mental illness and
• supportive housing with intensive, integrated services.

MCHOME’s goal is to move homeless adults with mental illness off the streets and into housing and treatment.

 

Our counselors reach out to approximately 100 homeless adults each year to reduce the number of homeless mentally ill adults living on the streets in Monterey County. We evaluate them for indications of chronic homelessness and psychiatric disability, and, if they qualify, enroll them in intensive, integrated services that include housing, food, psychiatric care, and financial counseling. We work closely with the Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division (MCBH) to help our clients get the medical services and medications they need. We work closely with the Department of Social Services to help them file for benefits, such as SSI. We work to connect them to Interim’s Supported Education & Employment (SEES) and with the Department of Rehabilitation to find employment. Those who do not qualify for Interim’s services (that is, they do not have a severe mental illness) are referred to other appropriate service providers. Special services to deal with substance abuse are provided through a collaborative arrangement with Monterey County Health Department Behavioral Health Division.

Supportive housing programs like MCHOME (called a “housing first” program) have been shown nationwide to reduce the number of homeless people living on the streets or in shelters and to help to reduce the number of days the homeless spend in more costly local jails and hospitals.

The MCHOME project is funded by the State’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the City of Salinas, the City of Monterey, United Way of Monterey County, and private donations. There is no fee to the individual. Once they are housed, clients pay for rent, food, and personal-need items on a sliding scale.

If you are concerned about a homeless individual in your neighborhood, please contact a MCHOME Outreach Counselor at 831.883.3030.