Prudent Care is a provider that specializes in helping individuals with disabilities and seniors find and maintain stable housing through a variety of supportive services. Through its Housing Stabilization Services (HSS), Prudent Care offers tailored assistance to address the unique needs of each person, recognizing that housing stability is a key factor in health and overall well-being. The support Prudent Care delivers is designed for adults over the age of 18 who are experiencing housing instability, are on Medical Assistance (MA), have a disability or disabling condition, and require assistance in areas such as communication, mobility, decision making, or managing difficult behaviors.
The services at Prudent Care include Housing Transition, Housing Sustaining, and Housing Consultation. Housing Transition Services focus on planning for, searching, and moving into suitable housing. This includes discussing an individual's housing preferences, guiding them through the housing search and application process, helping to create a realistic budget, and providing education about understanding leases. In cases where a person qualifies, Prudent Care can also assist with moving expenses, with an annual maximum to help alleviate the financial burden of relocation.
Once an individual has moved into a new residence, Prudent Care’s Housing Sustaining Services are available to support long-term stability. These services help tenants understand their rights and responsibilities, cultivate positive relationships with property managers and neighbors, and provide training on good tenancy practices and how to comply with lease agreements. Prudent Care also offers ongoing problem-solving assistance to address challenges that might threaten housing stability, striving to keep people secure in their homes for the long term.
Prudent Care’s Housing Consultation Services are tailored to individuals who do not have Medical Assistance case management. In these cases, the provider develops a person-centered housing plan focused on the individual's specific needs, goals, and preferences for housing. Prudent Care assists clients in making informed choices about their housing options and connects them to resources that may support not only their housing goals but also other aspects of their lives. Coordination with other service providers is also an important component, ensuring a seamless approach to each individual’s well-being and independence.
Beyond individual casework, Prudent Care operates with a broader understanding of the challenges facing people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The organization takes part in initiatives that address both prevention and rapid re-housing, seeking to swiftly move individuals and families experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and then providing supportive services to help them sustain it. Funding and eligibility for these programs may vary, but the common thread is an emphasis on stable and permanent housing as a vital strategy for ending homelessness.
The approach used at Prudent Care aligns with the Housing First philosophy, which prioritizes access to independent and stable housing as the initial and essential step in supporting individuals to address other life challenges, such as health concerns or social integration. This method reflects the belief that most people experiencing housing instability wish to achieve a stable home and that ongoing support is essential in helping them maintain it.
Prudent Care works with a diverse range of people, including those transitioning from institutional or group living settings, people at risk of losing their housing due to financial or health-related issues, and those who are already homeless or in temporary arrangements. Disability in this context is broadly defined, encompassing physical disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and other conditions that impact daily living and housing stability. The support offered is not limited by whether or not an individual’s disability meets Social Security standards, allowing more people the opportunity to access services suited to their personal situation.
The organization strives to provide a compassionate and individualized experience for each person, building partnerships and community connections that foster long-term independence and security in housing. Whether helping someone move from an at-risk situation into a safe and stable home, or providing ongoing support to prevent eviction, Prudent Care’s mission is to ensure that everyone served has the chance to live in secure, suitable housing with the resources needed to maintain their stability and live with dignity.