COTS offers a continuum of care for each of its shelter guests and housing residents. These programs and services help break the cycle of homelessness by addressing the specific needs and circumstances of each client.

COTS' Emergency Shelter Program at Peterboro provides 140 beds, food and shelter for homeless individuals and families with immediate needs for temporary housing and resources. Each person entering COTS' Emergency Shelter of housing programs first meets with a Case Planner who provides individualized case management services, support and encouragement. Case Planners play an instrumental role in helping individuals and families address their current situations, set financial goals, obtain benefits secure housing and take steps toward leading autonomous, productive lives.

Families who leave Emergency Shelter for permanent housing receive follow-up and case management services for up to one year through COTS' Family Stabilization Program. They also can utilize support services such as COTS' Child Care Center or Education & Employment Center for up to one year free of charge.

Annually, COTS provides 50,000 emergency shelter nights serves more than 110, 000 meals and provides clothing for 2,000 homeless men, women, and children.

COTS' Transitional Services Program (TSP) is an intensive, goal-oriented housing program that assists individuals and families for up to 24 months while they work toward economic stability. Under the guidance of a Case Planner, TSP residents work and pay modest, income-appropriate fees for housing and support services, including drug and alcohol recovery programs, parenting and child care services, education, job search and placement programs and assistance with independent living arrangements.

• Peterboro provides 57 single-room-occupancy (SRO) units of transitional housing for single men and women.


• Peggy's Place provides transitional housing for 15 women with children and eight single women in a facility that blends apartment and community living, with private bedroom suites, shared kitchens and common areas.


• COTS Boulevard is a seven-unit apartment building with spacious 2 and 3 bedroom apartments for homeless women with children.

Residents of COTS' Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) benefit from subsidized housing and direct access to support services that caters to their specific needs. In addition to providing housing, PSH addresses the underlying problems that cause repeat episodes of homelessness. PSH is suited to individuals with special needs, including mental illness, chronic illnesses and/or recovering from substance abuse.

• Peterboro Long Term Program: Provides 23 SRO units for the elderly, mentally challenged and /or physically disabled single men and women who need limited support services to remain independent.


• Shelter + Care Program: This program is available to homeless individuals with physical or mental disabilities (including people with AIDS, chronic addictions, illness and/or developmental disabilities) and their families. As a Shelter + Care sponsor, COTS places eligible tenants in rental units owned by area landlords, provides a rent subsidy based on tenant income, provides case management and support services to meet each tenants specific needs, and monitors landlord compliance with housing quality standards.
• PATH-Projects: to assist with the Transistion of Homelessness - street outreach to the chronically mentally ill who are the most vulernable in society. Workers go to the bridges, viaducts, abandoned buildings to find and service this population.
• Domestic Violence TSP: provides 22 units of quality, affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence case management and other services and is provided for up to 24 months.

• Omega Project: This collaborative housing program between COTS and Development Centers, Inc. (DCI) is designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with serious, chronic mental illnesses and their families. The Omega Project provides scattered site housing, case management, mental health care, and support services for up to 30 tenants.


• Buersmeyer Manor This seven building apartment complex at Wyoming and Joy Road will provide rent-subsidized, permanent housing and support services for approximately 35 seniors, families, and individuals. The first four families moved into the complex in December 2004.


• Wyoming-Joy PSH: Currently under development, this seven building apartment complex at Wyoming and Joy Road will provide rent-subsidized, permanent housing and support services for approximately 35 seniors, families, and individuals. The first four families moved into the complex in December 2004. The project is scheduled for completion and occupancy by April 2005.