Grand Rapids: Mentally ill, their advocates struggle for housing Safe, affordable housing is key to recovering independence

By Sue Thomas The Grand Rapids Press GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- At 38, Lara Class never thought she would be living with her parents. But when she suffered a breakdown that led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, she lost her job and her apartment in Washington, D.C. Now, rebuilding her life, career and credit rating, Class is struggling to find an affordable place of her own in the Grand Rapids area. Roland Tibbe never dreamed he would have his own apartment, a light-filled sanctuary that overlooks the streets he once wandered. "I've gone from hell to heaven," Tibbe said, as he sat in a recliner and recalled the nights he slept in doorways, weighed down by depression and alcoholism. "That's the only way I can explain it." The situations in which Class and Tibbe find themselves highlight the housing challenges that can surface when a person's life is turned upside down by mental illness. Local agencies have crafted approaches to meet those challenges, though mental health officials say gaps remain. The housing picture is complex, in part because mental illness encompasses such a wide range of conditions. About one in every four people has a mental illness in any given year, according to the Mental Health Foundation. They are part of the fabric of every neighborhood and every community, and most don't need help securing a place to live. But for those whose illness interferes with their ability to maintain jobs or relationships, or who encounter discrimination because of it, finding safe, affordable housing is no easy task. Yet it is crucial to recovery, experts say. "They're more likely to take their medications because they can focus on other aspects of life, like seeing a doctor and a counselor, getting involved in employment and contributing to the community," said Paul Ippel, executive director of Network 180, the mental health authority for Kent County. The housing challenges for people with mental illness are as varied as the individuals affected. No one solution fits all. But the programs developed to meet those needs share two premises: -- Everyone deserves a home. -- The consumer, not a case worker, is the decision-maker. The "person-centered" approach represents a change in attitude over the past 15 years, said Pat Hawkins, a case manager for Pine Rest Mental Health Services. In an office, she works with people who are considered chronically mentally ill. They have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression. About 60 percent to 80 percent also have substance abuse issues. When she meets clients, she doesn't assume she knows what they need; she asks them to tell her. What she hears repeatedly is, "They want their independence." Depending on the level of support they need in day-to-day living, the options range from independent apartments to adult foster care homes. Many choose an in-between option -- subsidized housing facilities where they live independently but have support services available. A popular choice is the four apartment complexes run by Genesis, a nonprofit formed in 1998 by the Inner City Christian Federation, Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids and Hope Network to provide housing for people with disabilities, including mental illness. "They're wonderful," Hawkins said. "I would love living there." A social worker at each complex helps with problem-solving, paying rent, accessing benefits and other tasks. Using Section 8 vouchers, residents pay 30 percent of their income toward rent. About 85 percent of residents have annual incomes of $10,000 or less, so the subsidy is crucial, said John Wynbeek, executive director of Genesis. The bad news is the waiting list for the 127 Genesis apartments can be as long as 10 years, Hawkins said. Wynbeek said he was not sure how long the waiting list is today, but he acknowledged there are not nearly enough apartments. "It's frustrating because we get calls sometimes from someone in need, and they will present a valid need and a challenging situation, and I have to tell them, 'You have to go on a waiting list. It's multiyear, and we can't help you meet your needs today,'" he said. Published: Tue, Mar 29, 2011