Health and Mental Illness:
Can permanent supportive housing be used to respond to the needs of homeless individuals with multiple problems and disabilities?
In June 2004, the Corporation for Supportive Housing completed the final report on the evaluation of the Closer to Home Initiative, a program developed by CSH and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to foster new approaches to helping homeless people with multiple problems and disabilities. The initiative, which focused on six programs in Illinois, New York City, and California, identified characteristics of program residents:
- 85% are homeless for more than 12 months, including 37% homeless for more than 47 months
- 85% Axis 1 psychiatric disorder diagnosis, including 50% psychotic disorder
- 31% substance abuse at baseline
- 56% dual diagnosis (psychiatric and substance abuse)
The initiative also identified several key supportive housing strategies that work for this population:
- Clear division of responsibilities between property managers and service providers
Mixed populations in buildings
- Alternative accommodations available at other sites during relapse or crisis
- A less complex application process for housing
- No requirement that applicants be “housing ready” in terms of medication, sobriety, money management, etc.
- No/few conditions that impinge upon resident autonomy
Other questions & answers related to this topic:
What is the impact of homelessness on people with HIV/AIDS?