Kim BrattainFounder/ CEO, Kim Brattain Media · Award-winning Corporate and Documentary Film Producer

Supportive Housing Communities Bernadette

8 Mar 2017 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:54

The video features a multi‑speaker discussion about a supportive housing program. Speaker A, a formerly chronically homeless individual who has been homeless for about 20 years, shares a personal testimonial describing the relief and gratitude of finally having a stable home, detailing past health struggles, emergency room visits, and the daily hardships of sleeping on the streets. Speaker B provides data on the high public cost of chronic homelessness—approximately $40,000 per person annually—and notes that 82% of the program’s clients were chronically homeless, highlighting the potential cost savings when individuals are housed. Speaker C explains the program’s philosophy: they don’t merely furnish a space but create a true home for residents. Speaker D broadens the context, noting that many people are only one paycheck away from crisis and that the program serves as a safety net for those whose lives can be destabilized by illness or other shocks. Throughout, the speakers emphasize the transformative personal impact, the economic benefits, and the broader social safety‑net role of supportive housing.

Chapters

I was just so glad to walk in a door, to put a key in the front door, just to walk in to get furniture. And amazed when I went back there and seen the bed. I was just so happy and thankful. I actually been homeless Now, I think going on 20 years. That's a long time to be homeless. I got mental issues, depression, high blood pressure. I got knee problems. I just went to the emergency room and just scuffled to get my medicine.
Chronically homeless people, on average, cost the public about $40,000. And I think 82% of the people we served last year were chronically homeless. And so that really impacts—
that's tens of thousands of dollars that we are saving When I go to the hospital, and I used to go back on the street up under, you know, different places, the bus stop, the church, and walk up, and right here on the left-hand side, I would sleep right there in that corner, make a pallet down there and sleep. But now I got a better spot. I got a home now. Good morning. Welcome to my fabulous home. I was born in 1912. I would like to show you. This is the living room. Right now you see the pictures on the wall, the little loveseat, the lamp. If you walk this way, step into the kitchen.
We create a home. We just don't furnish, you know, give them a bed and some towels. We create a home for them.
It feel good. That you don't have to carry this stuff around. You have a place that you can put it at. This, this is my bedroom. Now I finally got a bed. I can come somewhere if I don't want to go to bed. I can just sit in there, read a book, read the Bible, and relax, or even talk to Teddy.
Many people in our culture are just one paycheck away from a crisis of one kind or another. A major illness can cause everything to become unhinged, and so we're their support system.
A safe haven that now I can advance to do some things that I want to do and don't have to worry about sleeping outside anymore. I can actually come, put a key in the door, and do the things that I want to do. And the program does work. 'Cause I am living proof of it.