The New Keys Program

The New Keys Program was established by the Office of Supportive Housing in 2004. This Program identifies and tracks homeless individuals that because of severe mental illness and/or persistent substance abuse have lived on the streets of the city for extended periods of time. The goal of the Program is to bring them off the streets and into their own permanent housing units. The outreach and case management is performed by Horizon House, a mental health/substance abuse treatment agency. The permanent housing is provided by Columbus Property Management, Inc., a not-for-profit housing management agency. TAFSP provides immediate housing for the identified homeless persons once they agree to enter the program. The Program participants stay in these units for months and even years until they agree to move into the permanent housing. TAFSP leases and maintains 4-one bedroom units in West Philadelphia for residents of the New Keys Program.