Concern for Independent Living, Inc. (Concern) was founded in 1972 by a group of parents and friends of psychiatrically disabled persons in Central Islip State Hospital. Our agency’s mission is to provide housing and services that enrich lives and strengthen communities. Our mission is achieved by developing high quality, attractive housing together with the provision of services that help people thrive in the communities of their choice. Concern is the largest non-profit provider of supportive housing on Long Island.
From 1972 to the present, Concern has grown from a grass roots organization to a well-respected housing developer and operator. In 1984 Concern for Independent Living opened its first Community Residence in Port Jefferson. Since then, Concern has grown to over 1,000 units of housing across Suffolk County, Nassau County, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. We currently provide housing and supportive services to over 1,000 households. Concern has an array of housing options ranging from highly supervised community residences to independent housing in over 220 sites. More than half of the sites that Concern operates are owned by the organization or by holding companies formed by Concern as sponsor of these projects. Concern has an annual budget of over $38 million and nearly $100 million in net assets (most of it in the housing stock that we have secured with grants).
Through the years, Concern has demonstrated its ability to successfully develop new programs and the Agency’s accomplishments have included many innovations and “firsts.” Since our early years, we have continued a strong tradition of developing and operating only the highest quality housing. Concern has been awarded the Metropolitan Life Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing, the first ever Visionary Award from NAMI-NYS and is CARF- accredited. Additionally, Concern Riverhead, Liberty Village and Concern Middle Island were awarded the Smart Growth Award in 2010, 2015, and 2017, respectively; Concern was named the 2012 Agency of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers Suffolk Division; and we received the Key of Excellence Award from the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless in 2016.
While Concern is best known for the high quality housing it provides, the housing is only a portion of what makes Concern’s programs so successful. Residents have access to a variety of housing opportunities based on their need for different types and intensity of services. Concern’s programs include:
- Apartment Treatment Program (OMH-licensed) Suffolk – 30 units. Residents live in two- and three-bedroom apartments and share common areas. Support services staff visit three times per week.
- Community Residences (OMH-licensed) Suffolk – 38 units. Residents each have their own bedroom and share bathrooms and common areas. Residences are staffed 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
- Chemical Dependence Supportive Living (OASAS-licensed) Suffolk– 3 units. Residents each have their own bedroom and share bathrooms and common areas. Staff are not present on site, but provide services in visits 1-2 times per week. Staff are on-call 24/7.
- Single Site Supportive Housing (OMH-licensed) Suffolk & Brooklyn – 280 units. Residents each have their own studio apartment with private kitchenette and bath. Building amenities include physical fitness room, on-site laundry facilities, computer room, lounges and communal dining room where breakfast and dinner are served daily (for those who wish to participate). Residences are staffed 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
- Mixed Use Supportive Housing (OMH funded, unlicensed) Suffolk & Brooklyn – 477 units (135 units in development in Brooklyn). Residents each have their own studio or one-bedroom apartment with private kitchenette and bath. Building amenities include physical fitness room, on-site laundry facilities, computer room, and lounges. Buildings include one- and two-bedroom apartments for low-income individuals and families. Residences are staffed 24 hours per day 7 days per week.
- Scattered Site Supported Housing (OASAS, OTDA, HUD and OMH funded, unlicensed) Suffolk, Nassau & Brooklyn - 376 units. Residences include single-family homes, condominiums and apartments for single adults and families. Residents each have their own bedroom and share common areas. Staff visit 1-8 times per month, depending on the level of need.
- Veteran Housing (unlicensed) Suffolk – 60 units. Residents each have their own one- or two-bedroom apartment. Community Center located adjacent includes computer room and physical fitness room.
- VASH Case Management Services (unlicensed) Suffolk & Nassau – 74 units. Residents utilize HUD VASH Vouchers to rent housing the community. Concern provides case management services in coordination with the VA.
- Enhanced Crisis and Transitional Housing Program – Suffolk – 3 units. Short-term crisis intervention program designed to reduce ER visits, unnecessary hospitalizations and Medicaid costs.
- Mobile Residential Support Team – Suffolk. Provides extra support to persons in central and eastern Suffolk County who currently reside in supported housing programs or are transitioning into these programs from a higher level of care, and who require additional supports for a period of time in order to be successful in living independently.
At every level of housing offered by Concern, staff provide the following supportive services to the residents of its programs, as appropriate:
- Case Management, including assistance with entitlement
- Service Planning
- Rehabilitative Counseling
- Restorative Services
- Crisis Intervention, including 24-hour emergency service
- Life Skills Training, including medication assistance, financial management, symptom management, cleaning, cooking, etc.
- Parenting Skills Training, as appropriate
- Linkages to other necessary services.
Because Concern has substantial experience in operating a large amount of housing over a long period of time, we have established proven practices and policies that contribute greatly to our capacity to develop and operate new programs. The agency has a strong reputation for developing innovative programs and for creatively tackling the challenge of bringing as many resources to our target population as possible.
Concern's residential programs serve low-income households, including formerly homeless, veterans, and families. We strongly believe that our housing and services must respect and foster the dignity of our residents. Safe, afforable housing that gives people privacy and the opportunity to socialize can be the foundation for recovery. Services to residents in our programs are based on individuals' needs and may include, but are not limited to: crisis intervention, symptom management, daily living skills training, entitlements assistance, vocational training, supported employment, socialization and community integration assistance, rehabilitative counseling, case management, mental health services, and substance abuse services. Staff work closely with residents to help them gain or re-gain the skills needed to live as independently as possible in the setting of their choosing. Our work together is recovery-oriented and meant to create opportunity, encourage hope and a focus on overall wellness.