Residential Services

Breakthrough House Residential Services seeks to provide a living environment conducive to psychosocial rehabilitation for persons experiencing mental illness as they move toward recovery and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Residential Services

Location and Accommodations

Q: Where are Breakthrough House, Inc. residences located?  Are they in a nice location?
A: We have 10 housing facilities in Topeka.  Many facilities are downtown near our Administrative Offices and allow for easy access to our day support facility, the BTH Clubhouse.  Three of our housing facilities are on the southeast side of town near Lake Shawnee.

Q:  Are there private rooms and baths?  Shared rooms and baths?
A:  Yes, there are both private and shared rooms.  The facilities are shared in all of our supported group homes.  Some group homes require you to have one roommate, while some do not and allow you a private bedroom.

Q: Are there individual apartments?  What about shared apartments?
A: Yes, we have both individual and shared apartments.  A shared apartment means you will have one roommate living with you.  You will have a private bedroom and shared facilities.

Q: Are the meals provided?
A: In our supported group homes, three nutritional meals a day are provided.  On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, dinner is provided in our day support facility, the BTH Clubhouse, where it gives our residents a chance to socialize with other members in the community.  Our residents in independent apartments are responsible for their own meals. However, when needed, our staff will refer them to area agencies where they can receive support for meals.  Also, residents are encouraged to apply for membership at the clubhouse and eat there for only 50 cents per meal.

Q: What is the difference between your supported group home and a nursing facility for mental health residence?
A: Our supported group homes are not nursing facilities.  While we provide structure in your daily life, we will not limit your abilities to be independent.  You are welcome to leave your home during regular open house hours.  Though there is a late curfew each night, during the day, we will encourage community interaction and provide a monthly list of free community activities for you to attend either with a group or on your own.  We offer medication monitoring, but also give you understanding of the medications you are prescribed and why you take them.  In lieu of nurses, we have trained staff, many certified, in the mental health field.  We encourage individuality and work with your case manager’s goals and plans that you have helped create.

Q: Do you have emergency housing?
A: No, Residential Services is program housing for individuals needing transitional and long-term placement.

Q: Do you have rooms available for one or two nights?
A: No, Residential Services is program housing for individuals needing transitional and long-term placement.

Choice and Placement

Q: How do you determine who to place where and will I have any say in the matter?
A: Often times, your case manager will make a referral to Breakthrough House.  The individualized goals and plans, including housing, which your case manager and you have discussed, are how we determine the best housing for you.  We also take commonalities into consideration.  We will do our best to place you in housing where you may share common interests and be near the same age as your roommate or housemates.  We also take into consideration a person’s past living experiences.

Q: Why should I choose to live in a Breakthrough House, Inc. residence?
A: Breakthrough House, Inc. Residential Services offers support that you may be unable to receive in any other housing.  We assist with consumer connection to community resources such as SRS, mental health, VA, Social Security, and other area agencies.  Many of our residents receive Wellness Visits to ensure their general well-being and the safety of their home.  In our supported group homes, you will also receive activities of daily living skills such as learning to prepare a meal, cleaning, laundry, obtaining transportation as well as medication monitoring.  Our housing offers structure and support to our mental health consumers who may be starting out on their own for the first time and to those who may need long term structure, support, and stability.

Cost

Q: How much does it cost to live in a group home?
A: While one group home may vary slightly from the next, the cost for one month of program services for our Breakthrough House group homes is $525 per month.  We have one group home that is income-based (HUD).  Rent and program fees are paid separately.  Rent is based on your income and can range from $50 up to $630, while program services are $300.  This means the total amount due each month will range from $350 to $930 (only in HUD).  Your meals, utilities, cable television, local phone calling, medication monitoring, on-site staff and staff support are all included in your program service fee.  The security deposit will total a full month’s rent.

Q: How much does it cost to live in an individual apartment?
A: We have four Breakthrough House individual apartments. The cost for one month of rent and program services range from $450 up to $464 (HND).  We have nine individual apartments that are income-based (HUD).  Rent and program fees are paid separately.  Rent is based on your income and can range from $50 up to $804, while program services are $60.  This means the total amount due each month will range from $110 to $864 (only in HUD).  Your utilities (water, electric/gas, trash) and Wellness Visits are included in your rent and program service fee. The security deposit will total a full month’s rent.

Q: How much does it cost to live in a shared apartment?
A: We have three shared apartments.   The cost for one month of rent and program services is $450.  Your utilities (water, electric/gas, trash) and Wellness Visits are included in your rent and program service fee.  The security deposit will total a full month’s rent.

Eligibility

Q: Do eligibility criteria vary according to the type of housing and services to be provided?
A: No, you must meet all of our Admission Policies in order to be considered eligible for Residential Services. 

Q: If I’m almost 18 years old, can I apply?
A: No, you must be 18 years of age at the time of applying.

Q: I do not have income.  Can I apply?
A: Yes, however, we will verify your ability to pay rent and/or program service fees. If we are unable to obtain proof, you will be placed on a waiting list until we’re able to receive proper verification. 

Q: Is there a waiting list?
A: Sometimes there is a waiting list.  It varies according to the type of support the individual needs and the type of housing we have available.  We also have a Wait List policy and Tenant Selection Plan that can be obtained upon request by calling 785-232-6807 ext. 324. 

Q: How will I know if I qualify?
A: If we have a current phone number, we will call you to inform you whether or not you qualify and we will also mail you a letter to document our decision.  If there are missing parts of your application, you will receive a letter stating your application is incomplete.

Q: How long will it take to be notified?
A: We will do our best to process your application in less than two weeks.  However, it may take longer due to the verification process.  When possible, we suggest you obtain requested verification from 3rd parties and deliver them to us rather than us requesting them.  This tends to speed up the process.

Q: Why am I not qualified?  What happens then?
A: If you are not qualified and would like more information regarding the rejection of your application, you are welcome to call us at 785-232-6807 ext. 324.  The rejection letter mailed to you will indicate why you were denied.  Many applicants that are not eligible the first time may be eligible to reapply within 12 months.