1). The primary geographic area served by Harbor House's programming is Lucas County. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact number of persons in need of Harbor House services, there is always a long waiting list. Harbor House has been, since the middle of 1996, documenting persons that contact us for services. On a monthly basis the following information is documented, for the period of January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998:

154 contacts for services
67 interviews conducted
29 put on waiting list
27 admitted into program

In 1991 the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council sponsored Housing and Supportive Services Plan for Lucas County Citizens Recovering from Chemical Dependency revealing that only 8 percent of the existing detox/transitional/supportive beds or units in Lucas County were designated to serve women. Harbor House is the only facility in the Toledo area, serving solely the needs of homeless women who are in recovery from substance abuse.

In 1997 The Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lucas County (ADAS) contracted with Neighborhood Properties Inc. To develop a housing plan for persons in Lucas County with a chronic substance abuse disorder. The following are some statements taken from the report: "During the preparation of this housing plan, it became evident that needs and opinions from service providers had not changed significantly since the Needs Assessment prepared in 1993 or the completion of the previous ADAS Housing Plan in 1991. In fact, the end results of the data collection and information gathering resulted in similar results as the two previously prepared documents. Transitional housing was identified by every service provider as the greatest housing need for persons receiving treatment, in the ADAS system."

"At this time, no funding is allocated through the Alcohol Drug Addiction Services Board for residential programs other than certified treatment facilities (IE: halfway houses with extensive staffing). During key informant interviews and focus group meetings, service providers expressed the need for housing options that give recovering persons an opportunity to develop sober living skills. The inpatient 30-day detox and recovery process is not an adequate amount of time for people to learn to live independently of drugs."

2). Harbor House's administration is strongly committed to be a participant in the planning sessions that will produce a strong Continuum of Care System in our community. The meetings held last year, produced some very positive results and interactions between the various social service agencies, City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods and the private sector. The Toledo Area Alliance to End Homelessness, of which our agency is a member, continues this process to enable all of us to provide the much needed services to the population we serve.