Through a capacity-building grant from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico, HopeWorks delivered eviction prevention assistance to 10 individuals living in Hope Village, a program that provides permanent housing and wraparound support for people with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders who have experienced chronic homelessness. As a result of the grant, all 10 individuals avoided eviction and maintained their housing, reducing the risk of returning to homelessness.
One Hope Village resident’s journey illustrates the impact of this support: after arriving at Hope Village, he worked with a case manager on recovery, employment and long-term independence. As HopeWorks noted, this support enabled the resident to access critical services and develop life skills for successful and independent living. His story unscores how stable housing is foundational to creating the stability needed to access care, engage in the recovery process and build long-term independence.
Expanding access to hygiene infrastructure
In addition to housing stability efforts, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico sponsored an ADA-accessible portable restroom at a HopeWorks shelter location. The facility serves approximately 10 individuals daily and fills a service gap during afternoon hours when the main shelter is closed. The restroom provides privacy and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
According to HopeWorks, “This restroom is more than a utility; it is a commitment to privacy and respect for our community members.”
Advancing whole-person health
On a broader scale, this initiative is delivering a meaningful positive impact across the local community. Keeping individuals housed and preventing eviction directly reduces strain on local resources and emergency medical services. Further, providing accessible hygiene resources fosters a cleaner, safer and more dignified environment. By helping community members achieve greater stability and independence, HopeWorks and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico aim to turn local support into lasting gains for community health and wellbeing.
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