Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - this is the last of a multi-phase project to renovate the kerner-scott house, one of desc's oldest permanent supportive…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - this is the last of a multi-phase project to renovate the kerner-scott house, one of desc's oldest permanent supportive housing projects and the location of desc's only women's shelter. Opened in 1997, kerner-scott house (KSH) helped pioneer the intervention known today as 'housing first' by using housing to engage chronically homeless people who did not have any prior connections to services. Our supportive housing model pairs housing with supportive services including case management, primary care nursing, behavioral health treatment and support, assisted employment, and 24/7 staffing. Due to the age of the building, desc has embarked on a multiphase project to renovate the facility and modernize KSH. The first two phases focused on infrastructural renovations, such as installing a new roof and new fire safety systems. The current - and remaining - stage will focus on improving the safety, health, and hygiene of our residents and shelter guests. We plan to install a sink and locked cabinetry in the nurse's office, and a second sink, toilet, and shower in the women's shelter dormitory. The front entrance of the building will be redesigned to add two workstations and improve security. A dutch door will also be installed in the main office to allow for more streamlined distribution of medications, food, and other supplies. Lastly, we will upgrade the fencing on the exterior porticos, and replace the worn flooring and damaged ceiling tiles to create a space that feels more welcoming and cozier to our residents and guests. Our goal is to ensure that KSH remains a haven for our for our tenants who struggle with behavioral health, by upgrading the building to meet their existing needs. IT is crucial for US to ensure that havens like KSH exist - not only because alleviating human suffering is a fundamental urgency - but also because providing safe, functional and livable environment to our homeless neighbors will help decrease public CO STS overall. By renovating KSH to meet the needs of our residents and shelter guests, we can ensure that they continue coming back to and staying at KSH, where staff can provide supportive services to prevent their needs from spiraling into crises.