MHS is a major partner in a collaborative project of evidence-based interventions to help homeless women with substance-use disorders. Learn more about this initiative!

MHS Client Characteristics and Program Outcomes:
Community Women's Shelter - 2007

During the program year that ended 31 August 2007, the Community Women's Shelter served 857 adult women, and 184 children. Average age of the women was 39 years; of the children, 6 years. The average number of women and children served each day was 97; the range was 74-147. About 75% of the women had been assaulted at some time in their lives; 35% had a current psychiatric disorder; and 40% had an alcohol or drug addiction.

Average length of stay for all women and children was 32 days. Many women have had repeated episodes of homelessness, and some have been homeless for years. Approximately 9% had income from employment, and 21% had Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income. About 20% received money intermittently from family members or relatives. Half had no source of income. Many had not completed high school, or earned a GED.

During the program year, 168 of the women moved back with their families; 64 moved into permanent housing; 15 moved into transitional housing, and 42 women with children transferred to another shelter better suited to meet the needs of homeless families. The average length of stay of those who left the Shelter during the year was 58 days.

MHS Client Characteristics and Program Outcomes:
Community Women's Shelter - 2009

During the program year that ended 31 October 2009, the Community Women's Shelter served 1,048 women and children. There were 759 women without children, 107 women with children, and 182 children. Of the 866 adult women, the average age was 39 years. Three-fourths were African-American, and 2% were Hispanic/Latina. More than one of five (22%) had a mental illness, including trauma-related mental disorders; 17% had an alcohol- or drug addiction; 10% had a physical disability; and 10% had experienced repeated episodes of domestic violence. Others had developmental disabilities, HIV infections, and other physical illnesses. Approximately 5% had income from employment, and 18% had Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income. More than one of four (44%) had no source of income

For all women and children, the average length of stay was 39 days; for adult women only, it was 45 days; for children, 11 days. Most (59%) of the women used the shelter for fewer than 29 days during the year; and 84% spent fewer than 90 days at the shelter. Of the 107 women who were accompanied by children, most (51%) brought only one child. The number of children accompanying an adult woman to the shelter ranged from one to five. The CWS provided 40,920 shelter-nights of service during the year.

During the program year, 40 of the women moved back with their families; 68 moved into permanent housing; 10 moved into transitional housing, and 41 women with children transferred to another shelter better suited to meet the needs of homeless families.