Habitat PLUS, Inc.

CONTACT:

516-520 Essex Street
Lynn, MA 01902
(781) 599-8578
www.habitatplus.org

Susan A. Campbell, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

After 19-year-old Stanley J. Egan was killed in action in Vietnam, two of his cousins asked: What if he had returned psychiatrically disabled? They learned that an estimated half-million veterans experience homelessness at some point every year, and that 45% of those are mentally ill. So in 1989 they had a new idea: to create Habitat PLUS — the only supportive housing program in Massachusetts specifically dedicated to homeless veterans with psychiatric disabilities. In 1990 they purchased and rehabbed an historic 1847 Jacob Cohen Mansard Victorian 18-room house in downtown Lynn, making it into a group home for then three, now 11, veterans. In 1992 they bought the apartment building next door, and turned it into a “step-up” co-operative apartments facility, enabling five higher-functioning veterans to live in a less restrictive setting. Then in July 1998, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services awarded HP a $100,000 contract, which it renewed for three more years. But then Sept. 11 and a faltering economy wiped out a slated $51,000 increase; instead HP’s budget was cut to $90,000 — despite the fact that it saves the government huge hospitalization costs. The loss has been crippling, but HP is working hard to stay afloat. Will you help them out?

(2005: HUMAN SERVICES: Disabilities)