Georgetown, DE… A lack of affordable housing is especially difficult for people who are often turned down because of their personal history. This fuels a homelessness crisis that encourages a cycle of drug and alcohol relapse and criminal activity. According to the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, the state’s three-year recidivism rate is nearly 65%, the second highest in the country (after Alaska); for drug offenses, it’s alarmingly higher at nearly 80%, and getting even worse. Last year, the Delaware Continuum of Care found that homelessness increased 35% statewide, with Sussex County having the worst, with a 128% increase.
“Christian Grace is both our name and our mission,” says Forman. “If you have an addiction or a criminal record, the chances of finding affordable housing are very slim. We help even the odds.”
The company’s success rate, measured by residents who move into independent living before relapsing, turns the statistics on their head. Forman says more than 60% of residents are clean, sober and employed after two or more years.
Christian Grace’s homes are managed by the residents themselves, who all have equal status. “If someone relapses, it is not missed by all the residents. Some events can be grounds for immediate exclusion or trigger a house meeting for discussion; from then on, democracy reigns.”
One New Street is the company’s newest and most ambitious project. The nearly 130-year-old historic building has been completely renovated from crawl space to roof and will house ten men in single and shared rooms and two women in a separate apartment. A memorial courtyard with gardens and a koi pond separates the apartments and serves as the main community space for residents to meet according to AA and NA principles.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is now the accepted method for healing and changing thinking to overcome addictive behaviors. At its core, DBT helps build four life skills; Mindfulness, stress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation. “Living among peers in a supportive home, attending 12-step-based meetings, and an environment that promotes inner peace through mindfulness takes DBT out of classroom theory and into real-time, real-life opportunities for growth,” says Forman.
Andrea Broomall, the company’s housing manager, said: “Anyone who is ready to start their journey with us will be met with understanding and compassion, regardless of their past. All we ask is that people leave their ego at the door, attend the meetings and trust that they are exactly where they are meant to be.”
Broomall says a tolerant community is crucial for growth and progress. She says the company also recognizes the special needs of the recently released and offers job-finding assistance programs. “For those whose daily lives have been almost entirely regulated by others, routine is important,” Broomall says. Residents have a schedule of tasks and ground rules are designed to help everyone get along. “We offer a safe place where they can exercise their new freedoms while learning to navigate the new reality of today’s outside world.”
