Who We Serve

At DESC, we support people who have experienced long-term homelessness, often for many years or even decades. Most are living with serious health conditions like severe mental health challenges, substance use disorders, physical disabilities, and other complex medical issues. 

They often have little to no income and have spent years in unstable, high-risk situations — cycling through shelters, hospitals, and jails. These systems weren’t built to meet the long-term needs of people with such complicated and compounding challenges. 

Still, people keep going. They find ways to survive under conditions most of us never face. Some are working to recover from trauma while battling addiction. Others are trying to manage severe mental health challenges with limited support systems. Everyone’s story is different, but they share a common experience: being pushed to the margins without the support needed to recover and move forward.  

Getting into permanent supportive housing is often a turning point — it breaks the cycle of chronic homelessness by providing the stability and support people need to move beyond day-to-day survival. With a safe, permanent place to live, individuals can begin focusing on their health and working toward personal goals.  

For some, supportive housing is the first step toward greater independence. For others, it’s the long-term solution they need to stay safe and stable. No matter the path, housing provides the foundation people need to stay safe, supported, and stable. 

But housing alone isn’t enough for the community we serve.
Most of the people we work with need more than just a roof over their head; they need care that’s fully integrated with their housing. 

That’s why ongoing, coordinated care — including mental health services and substance use treatment integrated with physical healthcare services, case management, and support with other basic needs like nutrition and meaningful activities — is a core part of the solution. 

People come to us with complex needs and histories, and some have been labeled “too difficult to serve.” We reject that label. At DESC, we believe people do better when they are able to — and we focus on what works: housing, support, and care that meets people where they are. 

Want to learn more? Check out these videos featuring clients here.