Trauma-informed design for permanent supportive housing: four case studies from Seattle and Denver

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Christina Bollo ◽  
Amanda Donofrio
2021 ◽  
Vol 693 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-229
Author(s):  
Debra J. Rog ◽  
Kathryn A. Henderson ◽  
Clara A. Wagner ◽  
Emily L. Abbruzzi

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita M Souza ◽  
Jenny Hsin-Chin Tsai ◽  
Kenneth C Pike ◽  
Francesca Martin ◽  
Susan M McCurry

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1587-1594
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Henwood ◽  
Brian Redline ◽  
Jack Lahey

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengqi Tan ◽  
Eun-Young Mun ◽  
Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen ◽  
Scott T. Walters

Abstract Background Social support is a well-known protective factor against depressive symptoms and substance use problems, but very few studies have examined its protective effects among residents of permanent supportive housing (PSH), a housing program for people with a history of chronic homelessness. We utilized unconditional latent growth curve models (LGCMs) and parallel process growth models to describe univariate trajectories of social support, depressive symptoms, and substance use problems and to examine their longitudinal associations in a large sample of adults residing in PSH. Methods Participants were 653 adult PSH residents in North Texas (56% female; 57% Black; mean age: 51 years) who participated in a monthly health coaching program from 2014 to 2017. Their health behaviors were assessed at baseline and tracked every six months at three follow-up visits. Results Unconditional LGCMs indicated that over time, social support increased, whereas depressive symptoms and substance use problems decreased. However, their rates of change slowed over time. Further, in parallel process growth models, we found that at baseline, individuals with greater social support tended to have less severe depressive symptoms and substance use problems (coefficients: − 0.67, p < 0.01; − 0.52, p < 0.01, respectively). Individuals with a faster increase in social support tended to have steeper rates of reduction in both depressive symptoms (coefficient: − 0.99, p < 0.01) and substance use problems (coefficient: − 0.98, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that plausibly, increases in social support, though slowing over time, still positively impact depressive symptoms and substance use problems among PSH residents. Future PSH programs could emphasize social support as an early component as it may contribute to clients’ overall health.


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