Semiperm is a single-parent community created by Settlement Housing Fund.  Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, this comprehensive housing program offers formerly homeless, single parents and their children the opportunity to become economically and personally self-sufficient through integrated holistic programs.

Modeled after a successful program in Denver, Semiperm provides families with a supportive setting for two to five years, during which time they will develop the skills necessary to support themselves, care for their families, pay their rent and thrive.  Our 23 participating families have their own apartments and are treated as independent individuals. Our programming is focused on meeting the needs of each individual family as well as the needs of the Semiperm community. The community supports our efforts and many of the neighbors volunteer with our program.

All of Semiperm’s families receive key services which will build self-sufficiency skills.  The Family Services Coordinator meets with each resident regularly, using task-centered counseling to help the resident create concrete goals for her or his time at Semiperm.  Periodically, goals are reviewed and new ones added.  Monthly, building-wide workshops promote community among the tenants and reinforce the supportive environment fostered by the Semiperm staff.  We also offer weekly classes on a wide variety of subjects including financial literacy, nutrition, and health care, and have built partnerships with neighboring community based programs offering parenting workshops, employment training, physical and psychological health services, and credit and legal assistance.

Settlement Housing Fund is confident that the combination of on-site and off-site programs, coupled with close personal attention and support from the program staff, will encourage Semiperm residents to gain new skills that will enable them to transition to permanent housing within two to five years.  Indeed, in just 2 years, our program has already proven a major success. Ninety-five percent of our participants are now involved in work, employment training, school, or a combination thereof, with 17 women currently employed.  Upon entry only two participants were in school, now 50% are attending college and two of those are on the Dean’s List.  Two of our participants have received Associate’s degrees and 3 obtained GEDs.  One of our residents even received a full-tuition scholarship to a university.When they are ready to leave Semiperm, these residents will have priority for vacancies in Settlement Housing Fund’s permanent housing developments.  Wherever our residents move upon “graduating,” Semiperm will work closely with neighborhood program providers, the schools and block associations to assure that their transition to permanent housing goes smoothly. 

Download the Semiperm Housing Brochure Here
Semiperm Documentary