---

Host program CARES of NY, Inc., St. Catherine’s Center for Children, Albany County, the City of Albany, the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society and Joseph’s House & Shelter officially launched the Albany Navigates Health & Housing program on Oct. 28.  The program, which officially started in June, aims to address the growing issue of homelessness and adjacent issues in Albany County by bringing together organizations already working to end housing insecurity. Albany County and the City of Albany are funding the program by investing $1.8 million over three years.

“This new partnership, especially the investment by both the County and City of Albany, will allow us all to connect with and help more of the hundreds of Albany County residents struggling to put a roof over their heads,” said Cindy Kouhout, St. Catherine’s executive director. “As Albany County’s only shelter designed for families, our Marillac Family Shelter can house up to 24 families at one time. Michael’s House, our 20-unit, fully furnished supportive housing facility provides a safe environment for tenants to stabilize their situation, address ongoing issues and start on a new path toward independence. Additionally, our Care-A-Van mobile unit meets individuals where they are so they can access services and resources they may not seek out for themselves.”

Albany Navigates is a pilot program that aims to address the needs of the unsheltered population in Albany. The program has two key components: a committee of community stakeholders and service providers working to break down barriers to program delivery and a street outreach initiative that will meet individuals where they are. This program will guide its clients through the challenges of the system related to mental health, addiction and housing. Programs like St. Catherine’s Care-A-Van mobile unit and the Joseph’s House Albany Outreach Van are the first points of contact and provide hundreds of residents each year with food, clothing, referrals for services and other essentials. Albany Navigates has received referrals for nearly 100 new clients in its first five months.

Albany Navigates is addressing not only homelessness and housing issues, but mental health and addiction issues as well. Mental health struggles and addiction often snowball into homelessness which can then exacerbate the original problems. The program’s partners are now ramping up efforts to get residents off the streets as the colder weather quickly approaches.

For more information on the Albany Navigates program, visit www.caresny.org/albany-navigates. For more information on St. Catherine’s homeless and housing services, visit www.st-cath.org/homeless-housing-services.

---