Friends of the Homeless, a Program of CSO

Friends of the Homeless (FOH) is a program of nonprofit behavioral health agency Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO). Originally incorporated in 1988, FOH has provided permanent, supportive housing to homeless individuals for more than 30 years. In December 2016, FOH merged with CSO, which has provided integrated, holistic behavioral health services in Western Mass. since 1955. Today, FOH serves more than 1,000 unique adult individuals annually, many of whom are considered chronically homeless. As part of its emergency shelter services, FOH provides more than 55,000 bed nights annually and serves more than 160,000 hot meals to anyone in need of food. CSO’s FOH program, located at 755–769 Worthington Street in the NRSA neighborhood identified as “Metro West,” serves as the largest emergency shelter program in the region. It is a low-threshold (or low-barrier) “housing-first” model. Along with emergency shelter and meals, FOH provides adult individuals (18+) with supportive housing, case management, and a 24-hour, individualized service model that helps guests overcome barriers to attaining independent housing as quickly as possible. Additionally, shelter guests gain access to CSO clinical mental health services and fully integrated health support services.