Since 2008 DIMH has maintained and operated a homeless shelter which provides temporary housing for up to 34 men with an average of about 300 annually. Over 3000 men in total have utilized the shelter while they seek employment and work with the help of shelter staff to rebuild their lives. The average period of shelter residence is approximately 50 days. It costs $20 nightly to support a man who resides in the shelter. This includes case management. DIMH has maintained a better than 60% “success rate” over the years in terms of shelter residents achieving employment, housing, and personal stability. The current shelter opened in September 2010 in a renovated, leased space. The shelter will have to be relocated before the end of 2021.
Three case managers each maintain a caseload of about 120 individuals and serve over 200 adults each year. Most are homeless and seek to acquire jobs and housing. During 2018, case managers achieved 222% of program goals, enabling dozens of individuals to move from homelessness to personal stability.
In addition to 3 case managers, DIMH staff includes a program manager, a facilities manager, and four part-time site supervisors. Site supervisors are on duty during evenings and at night when the office is closed.
DIMH has a significant impact on the local economy: those leaving the shelter earn an estimated $3.5 million each year. This is more than ten times the organization’s budget, yielding an impressive economic rate of return.
DIMH depends on donors to cover numerous expenses, including transportation for residents, the provision of kitchen and office supplies, and a portion of staffing costs. Faith communities, local organizations, and volunteers provide more than 12,000 plates of dinner each year for shelter residents, making it possible for DIMH to operate without a food budget for the shelter.
Grant support is received from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services/Office of Community Services, First State Community Action Agency, City of Dover block grant (CDBG) program, the Delaware State Housing Authority, and Grant In Aid.