Psychology and public policy: The story of a Canadian Housing First project for homeless people with mental illness.

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-268
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Nelson ◽  
Tim Aubry ◽  
Sam Tsemberis ◽  
Eric Macnaughton
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Housing First ◽  
People With Mental Illness

scholarly journals Individual and process factors influencing user’s satisfaction with Housing First services

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Loubiere ◽  
A Tinland ◽  
M Boucekine ◽  
V Girard ◽  
P Auquier
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Housing First ◽  
Quality Of Services ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Process Factors

Abstract Objectives Housing First models aim to give homeless with severe drugs and mental health problems a permanent home and assertive care team support. Concern persists that user satisfaction and retention rate are key values in the evaluation of such inclusive-care programs, to secure good outcomes. The aims of this study were 1) to explore user’s satisfaction with Housing First services, and 2) to determine individual or contextual factors influencing user’s satisfaction. Methods Based on the French Un Chez Soi d’Abord sample, we analysed data from homeless people with severe mental problems assigned to the Housing First and followed during 3 years. Measures included team tracking frequency, service users’ needs, and a Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). Generalized estimating equations were used with a random effect for site to identify relevant baseline confounders for the CSQ score. Results At 36-month follow-up, 131 HF participants completed the services user’s needs and CSQ-8 questionnaires. 94% were still housed. Respondents reported needs from the HF team for managing housing (74%), administrative assistance (63%) and mental illness (43%). The mean total CSQ-8 score was 25.6 (SD = 5.2) out of 32. Four predictors of a higher CSQ score were: higher frequency of visits (regression coefficients 8.2), lower user’s education (-2.2), ever been a tenant (1.4), and suffering of schizophrenia disorder (0.9) (p<.001). Conclusions The users’ perception of the quality of HF services appears to be high. Our results underscore the interaction of individual and process factors influencing user satisfaction. These findings suggested that HF intervention in France is a promising strategy for high quality of services to homeless people with mental illness. Key messages He users’ perception of the quality of Housing First services appears to be high. Housing First intervention in France is a promising strategy for high quality of services to homeless people with mental illness.

Effects of comorbid substance use disorders on outcomes in a Housing First intervention for homeless people with mental illness

Addiction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Urbanoski ◽  
Scott Veldhuizen ◽  
Michael Krausz ◽  
Christian Schutz ◽  
Julian M. Somers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Housing First ◽  
People With Mental Illness

scholarly journals The Impact of Housing First on Criminal Justice Outcomes among Homeless People with Mental Illness: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
pp. 070674371881590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marichelle C. Leclair ◽  
Félicia Deveaux ◽  
Laurence Roy ◽  
Marie-Hélène Goulet ◽  
Eric A. Latimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Housing First ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Effect of Housing First on Housing Stability for People with Mental Illness and Low Intellectual Functioning

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 785-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Durbin ◽  
Yona Lunsky ◽  
Ri Wang ◽  
Rosane Nisenbaum ◽  
Stephen W. Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Intellectual Functioning ◽  
Housing First ◽  
Homeless Adults ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Adults With Mental Illness

Objective: Housing First (HF) has been linked to increased tenure in housing for homeless people with mental illness, but the effect of HF on housing stability for people with borderline or lower intellectual functioning has not been examined. This study of homeless adults with mental illness in Toronto, Ontario assessed whether the association between housing stability and HF differed for adults with borderline or lower intellectual functioning, compared to adults with above borderline intellectual functioning. Method: This study included 172 homeless adults with mental illness from the Toronto site of the At Home-Chez Soi randomized trial that compared receiving HF relative to treatment as usual. This sample was divided into two intellectual functioning groups: 1) adults with borderline or lower intellectual functioning (IQ < 85, 16%), and 2) adults with above borderline intellectual functioning (IQ ≥ 85, 84%). We compared these groups by modelling the percentage of days stably housed using a linear multivariable generalized estimating equation and included interaction between treatment and intellectual functioning. An interaction between treatment and time was also included. Results: There were no overall differences in housing stability for individuals with borderline or lower intellectual functioning compared to people with higher than borderline intellectual functioning in either the HF or the treatment as usual groups. Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that for homeless adults with mental illness, borderline or lower intellectual functioning did not significantly affect housing stability. This accentuates the need for more research and potentially wider consideration of their inclusion in housing interventions, such as HF.

Perspectives of community members on homeless people with mental illness in Nsawam, Ghana

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402098419
Author(s):  
Kwamina Abekah-Carter ◽  
George Ofosu Oti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Homeless Persons ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Audio Data ◽  
Good Food

Background: Homelessness among people with mental illness has grown to become a common phenomenon in many developed and developing countries. Just like in any other country, the living conditions of homeless people with mental illness in Ghana are unwholesome. Despite the increased population of these vulnerable individuals on the streets, not much is known about the perspectives of the general public towards this phenomenon in Ghana. Aim: This research was conducted to explore the perspectives of community members on homeless people with mental illness. The main study objectives were (a) to find out the impacts of the presence of persons with mental illness on the streets and (b) to ascertain the reasons accounting for homelessness among persons with mental illness. Method: Utilizing a qualitative research design, twenty community members were sampled from selected suburbs in Nsawam and interviewed with the use of a semi-structured interview guide. The audio data gathered from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Majority of the participants asserted that homeless people with mental illness had no access to good food, shelter, and health care. They further stated that some homeless people with mental illness perpetrated physical and sexual violence against the residents. Moreover, the participants believed that persons with mental illness remained on the streets due to neglect by their family members, and limited access to psychiatric services. Conclusion: This paper concludes by recommending to government to make mental health services accessible and affordable to homeless persons with mental illness nationwide.

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