For Heidi, who had been a client of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) for 16 years, accessing affordable, independent housing was life changing.

"Housing is the cornerstone of empowerment," she said. "I was able to develop the skills and self-confidence I needed to really live in the community and break the cycle I had been in of repeated hospitalizations. Living in that setting with people who were working, people who were retired, people who weren't getting DMH services, it was just the mix of people, and it truly helped me feel like I belonged and helped me find a sense of community."

Heidi is one of thousands of tenants who have benefited from MassHousing's DMH/DDS Set-Aside Program coordinated by the Agency's Housing Stability Department in partnership with DMH and the Department of Developmental Services.

Since 1990, property owners of most MassHousing-financed rental housing communities have been required to participate in the Set-Aside Program by providing priority access to 3% of all subsidized units for applicant referrals from the state agencies. When notified of an available unit, state agency staff identify eligible applicants and submit completed applications. The property management agent then conducts applicant screening, and the state agencies offer support services throughout the application process and during the tenancy.

After 30 years of successful operation, the state built upon the program and created a new 3% Priority Program, which expanded the housing opportunities to those also funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MassDevelopment, and Massachusetts Housing Partnership and the eligible applicants to include those receiving case management services from the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and MassAbility. These 3% Set-Aside units support the Commonwealth's efforts to help people with disabilities and older adults live in the least restrictive settings possible and be successful members of the community by providing them with priority access to community-based housing coupled with services.

Heidi credits Adrianne Cassidy, the Statewide Housing Director for the Department of Mental Health, with mentoring her and guiding her through the 3% Set-Aside Program and beyond. Prior to her work with DMH, Adrianne worked as a service provider and helped Heidi and others like her. 

"I was helping people find housing, helping them pack up and move from place to place," said Adrianne. "For people like Heidi, they face discrimination and situations where they submit an application, and the landlord won't return their call. Or they say that they have another tenant, and then you go back online and (the apartment for rent) is still posted. A lot of times, this response is related to the landlord's negative perceptions of housing subsidies, despite most tenancies being successful."

For Adrianne, MassHousing's 3% Set-Aside Programs are a game-changer. "MassHousing has been that foot in the door where you know you won't get discriminated against. That makes such a difference for people struggling to get housing," she said. "When I see the MassHousing 3% Set-Aside unit come online, it's so exciting to me. Here's an opportunity for someone to get a fair shot. Buildings that offer wheelchair-accessible units or accommodations for individuals with a variety of needs often come at a higher cost - beyond what most people supported by DMH can afford. That's where MassHousing comes in; it serves as a vital resource to help us find units that meet these needs. Everyone deserves a safe, comfortable place to live. Everyone deserves quality, affordable housing and MassHousing developments truly offer that," Adrianne added.

"MassHousing uses housing finance to strengthen communities and lay the foundation for economic opportunity for households across a broad range of incomes, ages, and abilities," said Libby Hayes, MassHousing's Director of Housing Stability. "Heidi's journey demonstrates the power of high-quality housing for stability and ongoing successes."

"I had been in a group home for two years and the process of finding an apartment that would accept a voucher was daunting at best," Heidi noted. "I didn't have a rental history and had not learned the intricacies of being a good tenant."

Fortunately for Heidi, Adrianne was familiar with 3% Set-Aside units.

"I saw this as an amazing opportunity—to be in a nice community setting in Metro West—but it felt out of reach for me," said Heidi. "Adrianne and I talked through the process of applying and she explained the steps I could take: budgeting for rent and utilities; communicating effectively with property management; recognizing if I was struggling to keep my unit clean; and to reach out to my support system for assistance. These are things that people in the mental health system often need help with and Adrianne was able to provide that guidance. Having someone support me to obtain an apartment in a safe place was an incredible experience," she continued. 

"I view the Set-Aside process as a foot in the door. As people who often face housing discrimination, it's important to realize we are worth it. To be able to continue to move forward, I had to develop an understanding that I'm worth it - that I deserve to have a safe apartment in the community and that I could learn the skills we all need like having the confidence to go into a property management office."

Heidi was able to get her unit in a building managed by Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), a nationally recognized non-profit affordable housing developer and property manager.

"Preservation of Affordable Housing is deeply committed to providing high-quality, affordable housing options in the community for people with disabilities," said Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of POAH. "Through a unique collaboration with MassHousing and DMH and DDS, our property management teams are able to help tailor services to our residents so they can remain independent and thrive."

Eventually, Heidi obtained a mobile housing voucher and moved out of her 3% Set-Aside unit, which created an opportunity for another program client.

Heidi's housing journey with the Set-Aside Program has led to a related career. "I had the basic needs met and have been able to give back and help people with their mental health issues," she said.

Heidi is a Certified Peer Specialist with a human services agency in the Metro West area working with people who have mental health issues. Heidi also does advocacy work and provides staff training.

"Heidi is an incredible trainer and she just shines," said Adrianne. "She can help people and connect in a different way because they hear the story from someone who has also lived it." 

Having lived in a mental health environment, Heidi understood the stigma and bias often aimed at those who are part of the mental health system. "I overcame the stigma of being othered," said Heidi. "This is a message we get from the community and sometimes in the mental health system. But being in a 3% Set-Aside unit was an opportunity to have neighbors from all walks of life. I was building connections and relationships based on shared interests and shared location instead of just being immersed in the world of mental health."

Having an apartment outside of the mental health system opened doors to new friends and experiences. "I had neighbors who I shared a love of cats and sunrises with, and we shared a lot of challenges, but we were meeting each other outside the mental health system."