HomeBase

Since 1998, HomeBase has been serving individuals and families in the Midlands. The program is designed to help homeless folks with a mental illness or co-occurring substance abuse addiction and mental illness to secure permanent housing.

During 2008, HomeBase served 88 adults. Of the 88 adults, 8 were hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, and 3 were hospitalized as the result of other issues including adverse drug reactions to medications and/or substance abuse. The number of hospitalizations is equal to 13%. This is a relatively low percentage considering the volatile nature of the homeless population assisted through HomeBase.

A parenting class is in place for HomeBase members with children. HomeBase members include 18 children. HomeBase Staff conducting the parenting class were trained by Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina. This agency is a private non-profit chartered to prevent the abuse and neglect of children in South Carolina through education, intervention and treatment. Six parents in HomeBase took the inclusive, ten-week class and all six were tested and succeeded in showing that they improved their parenting skills.

In 2008, 77% of members retained their housing for at least six months with 70% of those having been in housing over a year, and 23% having been in housing over 3 years. This is an exciting result of service delivery that includes case management, stability of housing, intense individual therapy and 24-hour crisis response. The services provided by HomeBase staff give hope and support to the participants in the program. Without the level of care and support offered to participants, many would be unable to maintain stability and work on their recovery process.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health reports that it costs $450 per day to hospitalize someone in a mental health facility. The average cost per day per person in the HomeBase Program is $27.12 including rent, services, individual assistance and transportation. Due to efficient operating practices in 2008, for every $1.00 donated to MIRCI, $.92 went directly to service, with less than 8% going to administration. The HomeBase program returns a greater benefit than it costs and is a good investment for the community.

HomeBase is a growing program within MIRCI and aims to serve the Midlands community in the years to come. Without programs like HomeBase, too many of our most vulnerable would be unable to reach stability and would remain in the cycle of homelessness.

For more information please call (803) 786.1844 or email us at mail@mirci.org.