Examining tenancy duration and exit patterns in a single-site, mixed-tenure Permanent Supportive Housing setting

Permanent supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness—typically, subsidized housing that is not time limited and provides access to a range of support services—has substantially increased over the past 10 years, despite an absence of rigorous evidence of its effectiveness. We examine the benefits of subsidized housing with supportive services compared to subsidized housing alone. Our findings suggest that supportive housing offers more opportunities for access to services and benefits than subsidized housing alone, but it may not be beneficial to families’ housing stability or to family members’ employment or involvement with the criminal justice system. We argue that housing that is coupled with intensive case management, that is service rich, and that provides and adheres to harm reduction principles may help to strengthen supportive housing’s effectiveness.

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Perceived care coordination among permanent supportive housing participants: Evidence from a managed care plan in the United States

Health & Social Care in the Community ◽

10.1111/hsc.13348 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alina I. Palimaru ◽

Ryan K. McBain ◽

Keisha McDonald ◽

Priya Batra ◽

Sarah B. Hunter

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Managed Care ◽

Care Coordination ◽

The United States ◽

Supportive Housing ◽

Care Plan ◽

Permanent Supportive Housing

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Cognition, Health, and Social Support of Formerly Homeless Older Adults in Permanent Supportive Housing

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anita M Souza ◽

Jenny Hsin-Chin Tsai ◽

Kenneth C Pike ◽

Francesca Martin ◽

Susan M McCurry

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Global Mental Health ◽

Case Managers ◽

Supportive Housing ◽

Homeless Population ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Permanent Supportive Housing ◽

Formerly Homeless

Abstract Background and Objectives Formerly homeless older adults residing in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) represent an invisible subsector of two distinct, yet related populations: the homeless population and the elderly population. Little research is focused on the complex health concerns facing this aging population within the homelessness response system. Of particular concern is the identification and support of individuals with cognitive impairment and co-occurring chronic conditions. We collaborated with a leading housing services provider to develop a systematic screening system for case managers to capture the cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health of older adults served within homeless housing programs. Research Design and Methods PSH residents aged ≥50 years in four sites screened as being without cognitive impairment on the Mini-Cog were enrolled. A brief demographic survey and selected PROMIS measures were used to characterize participants’ demographics, cognition, global physical and mental health, physical functioning, self-efficacy for social interactions, and instrumental support. PSH case managers were trained to recruit participants and collect data. PROMIS scales were scored using the Health Measures Scoring Service. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and one sample t-tests were performed. Results Fifty-three residents (mean age = 60.8 years, range 50–76 years) participated. The majority self-identified as male and were military veterans; 60% reported having a history of two or more episodes of homelessness. All PROMIS scores were significantly (p < .05) lower than reference U.S. population means, with global mental health and cognition having the lowest scores. Discussion and Implications Self-reported cognitive functioning and global mental health were residents’ greatest concerns. Strengthening housing case manager capacity to assess residents’ cognitive and health status could increase support for older adults in PSH. It is feasible to train PSH staff to conduct structured interviews to identify resident cognitive and health needs to help support this “invisible” population to successfully age in place.

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