This month, an official opening was held at the Juniata House with various local, county and state dignitaries in attendance.
Juniata House, which is located at 209 North 9th Avenue in Juniata, has been established by Home Nursing Agency in conjunction with the Blair County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program to provide the county’s young adults with supportive mental health services along with safe, affordable and permanent housing from the cooperation and assistance from Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This is Blair County’s first residence suitable for young adults (ages 18-35) who have a mental health diagnosis and are homeless.
Over the past three years, a housing task force has conducted a community needs assessment. The taskforce, comprised of Blair County’s health and human service officials, identified a lack of housing options in Blair County for individuals who receive mental health services and have special needs while making the transition into adulthood.
In 2000-01 alone, nearly 50 percent of young adults served by Blair County Mental Health Services were homeless at one point. In fact, recent data also indicates that during a six-month period in 2000, there were 66 homeless persons in this age group.
Juniata House has been completely renovated to accommodate seven residents capable of independent living, who are homeless and are receiving services from the Blair County Mental Health system. The residents are provided with private, single rooms, and share common areas such as the kitchen, dining and living rooms and bathrooms. Currently, two individuals occupy the residence.
“There is no doubt that stable and secure housing is a significant requirement for a young adult managing mental health challenges. Despite these challenges, Juniata House residents are attempting to assume the responsibilities of becoming an adult. This project will ease the transition,” said Robert Packer, president/CEO of Home Nursing Agency.
According to Scott Moyer, Home Nursing Agency’s director of Community Services, the number of young adults with mental illness who are served by Home Nursing Agency’s mental health programs has increased.
“Our case managers spend a great deal of time locating housing for these young adults and mentoring them on basic living skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning and riding the bus,” Moyer said.
Residents of the Juniata House are charged a monthly rent based on 30 percent of their income. They must have no record of recent drug or alcohol abuse, history of violence or serious criminal record or need for inpatient admission.
Home Nursing Agency also operates the Blair House, 230 6th Avenue Altoona, and the Dorothy Tartaglio Personal Care Home located 1911 12th Avenue, Altoona.
Referral information may be phoned to 943-0414, ext. 3017. A free assessment will follow, if applicable.
