Local Behavioral Health Nonprofit Breaks Ground on $20 Million Supportive Housing Project on Worthington Street

Clinical & Support Options’ development on Worthington St. adds 36 affordable studio units.

The greater Hampden County region will soon see its state-of-the-art Friends of the Homeless shelter and housing campus expanded further for adult individuals experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, Springfied's Housing Director Geraldine McCafferty, Police Supt. Larry Akers, and Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez joined with Clinical & Support Options (CSO) President & CEO Karin Jeffers and team for a ground breaking ceremony for CSO’s 'Friends of the Homeless' $20 Million Supportive Housing project at 775 Worthington Street on Wednesday afternoon. 

Local nonprofit community behavioral health agency Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) is breaking ground on a $20 million affordable housing project that will expand its Friends of the Homeless (FOH) campus in Springfield and add 36 permanent supportive housing units. Project planners call the development “an investment in the Metro Center area that will reduce homelessness, support chronically homeless individuals, and vastly improve the neighborhood community.”

The City was honored to join CSO to celebrate the occasion with a ceremonial event at the 775 Worthington St. construction site in Springfield. 

A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH
Friends of the Homeless has been providing emergency shelter services in Springfield for more than 30 years. Its forward-thinking, housing-first approach includes 110 units of on-site apartments and SROs reserved primarily for chronically homeless individuals. The units are rented by a combination of project-based Section 8 and project-based Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) recipients.

In 2016, FOH merged with CSO to become a program of the behavioral health agency, adding clinical expertise, on-site nursing, and integrated, trauma-informed care. Most recently, CSO has expanded its substance use recovery services on site to include medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Today, CSO’s FOH program represents one of state’s the most successful models of emergency shelter.

“The goal of shelter isn’t just a warm, safe place to sleep,” explains CSO President & CEO Karin Jeffers. “It’s getting people housed. It’s enabling adults to access the services they need so they can lead fulfilling lives.”   

According to Jeffers, the Worthington Street development project represents a significant investment in the recognition that permanent supportive housing is an effective means of keeping chronically homeless individuals off the streets.

Each of the permanent supportive housing tenants inside the 36 new affordable studios at 775 Worthington will be chosen based on a set of criteria that will include homelessness. Moreover, the tenant selection plan gives priority to those unhoused individuals who meet criteria to be considered “chronically homeless.”  

“Permanent Supportive Housing respects adults’ autonomy while also providing the voluntary, flexible supports they need to maintain stable, independent living,” Jeffers says. “It’s an evidence-based approach proven to work for folks who would otherwise likely return to homelessness.”

Jeffers goes on to explain the expansion of the current Friends of the Homeless campus means the 36 new permanent supportive housing tenants will gain on-site access to a cafeteria serving three meals each day, a medical clinic, and an array of supportive and behavioral health services.  

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CSO and its FOH program aren’t the only ones investing in the efficacy of permanent supportive housing.

While the 775 Worthington Street development is managed and developed by Clinical & Support Options, it is being funded through a variety of stakeholders, including the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program of the Mass. Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the Housing Stabilization Fund of EOHLC, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corp., and the City of Springfield, along with Stratford Capital Group and TD Bank.

The project team includes architect Jones Whitsett Architects Inc. and general contractor Western Builders Inc.

“It is truly remarkable what is taking place in the City of Springfield as it relates to housing. Today marks another milestone as we continue to make significant investments to expand our region’s housing stock – an endeavor that has been a great partnership at all levels of government,” said Congressman Neal. “I am particularly pleased that this project is the beneficiary of more than $11.5 million in federal funding, covering approximately 60 percent of the project costs. This includes funds from the Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the American Rescue Plan – both of which come from the House Ways and Means Committee. Improving and expanding affordable housing remains a top priority throughout the nation, and thanks to organizations like CSO, we are making great strides in addressing our housing needs here in Massachusetts.”

Mayor Sarno states, “For whatever reason, individuals among us are the fringes of society with stories and histories to tell, seeking assistance to get back on their feet. Uplifting those in need is a benefit to our entire community. My administration was happy to help out in investing $500,000 toward this important project. Thank you, Friends of the Homeless for lifting up and empowering these individuals and families in need toward a better life.”

The project is expected to be completed by late summer 2026, with otherwise unhoused shelter guests taking residence shortly thereafter.

ABOUT CLINICAL SUPPORT OPTIONS (CSO)

Clinical & Support Options Inc. (CSO) is a community-based nonprofit behavioral health agency providing individuals and families with comprehensive holistic clinical and support services throughout Western and Central Massachusetts. With more than 20 locations throughout five counties (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester/North Quabbin), CSO serves nearly 18,000 clients annually with a wide range of responsive and effective interventions and mental health, addiction and recovery, shelter/housing, and family services. Visit csoinc.org for more information.