Brooklyn Gardens

Located in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, the award-winning Brooklyn Gardens houses 180 children, women, and men in three different programs: Arbor Inn, Ivy House and Oak Hall. Brooklyn Gardens is unique in structuring all the housing units as “suites” of rooms off a common kitchen and living area in order to facilitate and encourage community living.

Arbor Inn

Arbor Inn is Tier II short term housing for 44 mothers each with one child up to the age of 8. The goal of Arbor Inn is to assist residents in developing the independent living skills necessary to obtain and successfully maintain an apartment of their own. We offer a secure environment in which these formerly homeless women can begin to stabilize their lives, learn how to use community resources (including obtaining quality health care for themselves and their children), develop job skills and achieve a sense of hopefulness about their future.

The residents of Arbor Inn are served by a multi-disciplinary team that include case managers, child care specialists, vocational trainers and nursing specialists. Families generally stay at Arbor Inn for a period of between three to six months.

In 2004, Arbor Inn was the 3^rd highest ranked program in the City by the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), out of 134 such programs.

Referrals to Arbor Inn come from HERO Unit of the Department of Homeless Services (formerly part of HRA). If HERO cannot fill the vacancy, a referral will be taken from a local community organization.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Homeless women with one child up to the age of eight;
• No current drug or alcohol problem unless involved in a rehabilitation program;
• Not dangerous to self or others;
• No contagious medical condition;
• No severe medical or physical condition that prohibits climbing stairs or carrying packages above the first floor;
• Preference will be given to families indigenous to Brooklyn and to the Ft. Greene area specifically.

For any questions please e-mail Arbor Inn.

Ivy House

Ivy House is an 18-bed transitional community residence, licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to serve single adults who are homeless as defined by the terms of The New York / New York Agreement. Residents have a private room and share a lounge, shower and restroom with other residents on their floor. Meals are prepared on the premises.

Ivy House offers rehabilitation services such as medication management, symptom management, daily living skills training, self-advocacy, substance abuse services, parenting training, health services, community integration, counseling, and socialization skills are available to residents. 

Eligibility Criteria:

·         Be 18 years of age or older;

·         Have a primary Axis I diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, and either receives SSI or SSD due to mental illness, or has an extended impairment in functioning due to mental illness, or relies on psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and supports;

·         Be a documented homeless individual as defined by the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) under the terms of the NYNY agreement, including an approved HRA 2005 form and approval letter officially registering the individual as NYNY eligible;

·         Demonstrate the ability to live on their own by maintaining psychiatric stability, managing medication independently, being financially responsible and having shown a commitment to sobriety;

·         Have a current psychosocial assessment completed (conducted within the last 90 days);

·         Have a mental status evaluation and a physical examination completed (conducted within the last 30 days);

·         Have documentation verifying current income;

·         Have copies of appropriate identification.

For any questions or referrals please e-mail Ivy House.

Oak Hall

Oak Hall is a 74 bed SRO facility, funded through contracts with DHS and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and created through the New York State Housing Trust Fund. Oak Hall offers permanent housing and a range of services to formerly homeless individuals who may be mentally ill and/or have a history of substance abuse. Services include case management, vocational training, independent living skills training, recreation, socialization, mental health care, medical care and substance abuse counseling.

Referrals to Oak Hall predominantly come from shelter providers. However, any agency which has contact with homeless adults may make referrals to our program. A portion of Oak Hall's rooms are reserved for homeless adults with chronic mental illnesses.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Documented homeless man or woman;
• 25 years of age or older;
• Able to perform activities of living independently;
• No current substance abuse;
• Able to live cooperatively in an integrated community.

For any questions or referrals please e-mail Oak Hall.

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