CASE STUDY:
DANFORTH ON HIGH
Danforth on High offers affordable apartments in a convenient downtown location, in the heart of Portland’s historic district with views into Casco Bay. It is well connected to the rest of the city with pedestrian access & public transportation.
WHAT: 30 units of affordable housing for seniors
WHAT ELSE: Of these 30 units, 15 are supportive housing for Long Term Stayers in homelessness from local homeless shelters.
CHOM has coined this blended model ‘Inclusive Housing’.
It is the first time this blended housing model has been tried to this extent in the state of Maine.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT INCLUSIVE HOUSING?
Danforth on High offers affordable apartments in a convenient downtown location, in the heart of Portland’s historic district with views into Casco Bay. It is well connected to the rest of the city with pedestrian access & public transportation. We hypothesized that a blended housing model where Long Term Stayers were included seamlessly within a larger affordable housing property comprised of the same age demographic would have a positive effect on both the people and on emergency service costs.
CHOM commissioned research in 2015 to study the efficacy of this model.
THE FINDINGS:
The Inclusive Housing model at Danforth on High produced decreased emergency services costs:
-
28% reduction in emergency services and comparative shelter costs
-
82% reduction in ambulance, police, and jail services costs
-
47% reduction in emergency healthcare costs
The study found an annual cost savings of nearly $6,000 per person.
The research extrapolated further that should the Inclusive Housing model be available to all Long Term Stayers in homelessness in the state of Maine at the time, the state would save nearly $1.6 million annually.
OBSERVATIONS
The Inclusive Housing Model used at Danforth on High has been a resounding success.
Danforth on High was a true test of the Inclusive Housing Model, which involved significant planning, coordination, and collaboration. Support services are essential for ensuring former Long Term Stayers have the opportunity to flourish in their community.
The Inclusive Housing Model is a source of pride for CHOM and its demonstrated success lends to its replication both in Maine and nationally.