Southwestern Community Services
Homeless Services Programs
Southwestern
Community Services, Inc. Homeless
Services Program provides direct and
immediate care to individuals and
families experiencing homelessness or
who are on the verge of becoming
homeless in Cheshire, Sullivan, and
Western Hillsboro counties. We are able
to do this through the following
programs…
Emergency Shelter
Southwestern Community Services (SCS) has short
term emergency shelter to assist families and
individuals who have a housing crisis. These
shelters can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. There are over 120 beds in Cheshire
and Sullivan counties.
Upon entering the emergency shelter program,
consumers receive comprehensive case management
to aid them in reaching and maintaining
self-sufficiency. The goal is to transition
individuals and families back into their
communities into safe affordable housing.
Case Management
Comprehensive case management includes:
Daily/weekly meetings with Case Manager
Needs and Goals assessments
Referrals and support for substance
abuse and mental health treatment
Budget counseling and savings program
Life skills workshops to include
parenting, nutrition, time management,
family planning
Off-site referrals to job readiness
training
Telephone and computer access
Tenancy 101 courses
Youth Services
Youth Services advocates for the children of
homeless families by securing their educational
needs, by providing referrals to necessary
services, and by assisting them with managing
self-esteem issues.
Please call the Cheshire County
shelter at 603.357.1654 or the Sullivan
County shelter at 603.542.3160 for more
information about the Emergency Shelter
Program, Case Management, or Youth
Services.
Homeless Outreach
The goal of the Homeless Outreach Program is to
aid the unsheltered homeless by seeking them
out, offering first friendship, then assistance
with shelter, food, medical treatment, and other
basic survival necessities.
Please call the NH Homeless Hotline at
1.800.852.3388 to be connected to an Outreach
Specialist.
Transitional
Housing Program
The Transitional Housing Program provides rental
units and a comprehensive program to families
that are homeless and in need of longer term
case management.
Permanent Housing
Program
Eight permanent housing units have been
constructed or rehabbed for the use of eligible
homeless individuals and families in Sullivan
and Cheshire counties.
Shelter Plus Care
Program
A limited number of Rental Assistance vouchers
are available for homeless individuals and
families in Cheshire and Sullivan counties who
are afflicted with serious mental health issues
and/or substance abuse issues. The goal of this
program is to provide a sense of stability and
permanency to the recipients and link them to
available public assistance programs, job
training, and other opportunities.
For more information, or to obtain an
application for the Transitional Housing
Program, the Permanent Housing Program, or the
Shelter Plus Care Program, please call
603.352.7512 ext. 4293.
Housing Security
Guarantee Program
This program provides no interest loans to
eligible consumers for rental security deposits.
An application for this program may be
printed for your convenience.
Prevention/Intervention
Services under this program help an individual
or family who is in imminent danger of becoming
homeless. This includes landlord/tenant
mediation, one-time financial supports, budget
counseling, and referrals to other resources.
For your convenience, an
application for this
program may be printed.
Tenancy 101
During this four-week class (one night per
week/two hours per night), participants will
learn what to look for in an apartment; how to
complete a rental application; what to expect in
and how to prepare for an interview; whether or
not the apartment is affordable to them; what a
lease is; how to be a good neighbor; the pros of
rental insurance; what is considered normal wear
and tear; landlord/tenant rights; the eviction
process; Section 8 housing; Housing Assistance
Coupon Voucher programs; and lots more.
Life Skills Classes
The Life Skills Program provides assistance in
acquiring knowledge in the basic skills of daily
living. It is presented in a workshop format
over a period of eight weeks. Topics covered
include: budgeting, work ethics, personal and
time management, nutrition, and parenting.
Please call 603.352.7512 ext. 4225
or 4226 to obtain an application or to
learn more about the Housing Security
Guarantee Program, the Rental Guarantee
Program, Prevention/Intervention,
Tenancy 101, and Life Skills classes.
Food Pantry
Sometimes we find that our consumers are not
able to purchase food or other necessary items
due to financial constraints. The Food Pantry is
available to supplement the consumer’s budget,
thus easing their financial burdens.
For more information about the Food
Pantry, please call 603.352.7512
A United Way
Agency
SCS is an Equal
Opportunity Employer
A United Way Agency
For more information, please contact:
Southwestern Community Services
63 Community Way PO Box 603, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: 603.352.7512
Toll Free: 800.529.0005
Fax: 603.352.3618
TTY-NH Relay: 800.735.2964
