Qualitative findings from a Housing First evaluation project for homeless Veterans in Canada

LAY SUMMARY This two-year study implemented a Housing First approach among homelessness services for Veterans in four cities across Canada (Victoria, Calgary, London, and Toronto). This approach included peer support and harm reduction resources for Veterans. To obtain a detailed evaluation of personal experiences and opinions, focus groups were held with Veterans, housing staff, and stakeholders at three time points during the study: July-September 2012, May-June 2013, and January 2014. Harm reduction and peer support were regarded as positive aspects of this new approach to housing and homelessness. It was suggested that greater mental health support, support from peers with military experience, and issues regarding roommates should be considered in future implementations of housing services for Veterans. It was also noted that to support personal stabilization, permanent housing is preferred over transitional or temporary housing. Future housing programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness should consider the addition of harm reduction and peer support to further enhance services and help maintain housing stability.

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A Housing First evaluation project for homeless Veterans in Canada: Quantitative findings

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health ◽

10.3138/jmvfh-2020-0053 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cheryl Forchuk ◽

Jan Richardson ◽

Heather Atyeo

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Health Care ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Housing First ◽

Future Cost ◽

Emergency Room Visits ◽

Housing Stability ◽

Homeless Veterans ◽

Evaluation Project

LAY SUMMARY This study sought to evaluate a Housing First program for Veterans experiencing homelessness. Housing First is an approach made up of many different aspects of care including peer support and greater access to care resources within the home. These aspects of care are offered in order to address underlying issues and maintain housing stability. The program was implemented across four cities in Canada including London, Toronto, Calgary, and Victoria. To assess the program, interviews with Veterans were conducted at time of enrollment, 3, 9, and 15 months. The Veterans in this study demonstrated a significant reduction in homelessness. As well, a significant reduction in emergency room visits was reported. Other health care interactions and quality-of-life scores remained stable. These findings could, therefore, lead to potential future cost savings in the health care sector. This study demonstrates why this approach to housing for Veterans can be a highly effective and useful way to ensure housing stability.

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Impact of a Housing First intervention on homeless Veterans with mental illness: a Canadian multisite randomized controlled trial

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health ◽

10.3138/jmvfh.2985 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 52-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jimmy Bourque ◽

Linda VanTil ◽

Caroline Gibbons ◽

Stefanie Renee LeBlanc ◽

Liette-Andrée Landry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Housing First ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Homeless Veterans

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Patterns and effects of social integration on housing stability, mental health and substance use outcomes among participants in a randomized controlled Housing First trial

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113481 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 265 ◽

pp. 113481

Author(s):

Maritt Kirst ◽

Rebecca Friesdorf ◽

Martha Ta ◽

Alexandra Amiri ◽

Stephen W. Hwang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Social Integration ◽

Housing First ◽

Housing Stability ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Performance-Enhancing Substances in Sports

10.1093/oso/9780190130640.003.0019 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 266-275

Author(s):

Kaveri Prakash

Keyword(s):

Harm Reduction ◽

Level Playing Field ◽

New Approach ◽

Reduction Strategy ◽

Playing Field ◽

Ethical Frameworks ◽

Harm Reduction Strategy ◽

Practice Of Medicine ◽

Performance Enhancing Substances ◽

Performance Enhancing

Given that the current strategies focusing on deterrence and punishment are increasingly ineffective worldwide, is there a radically different approach to ensuring a level playing field? This essay explores the growing discourse on alternate approaches to controlling the use of performance enhancing substances (PES) in sports and reflects on the fact that social and cultural behaviour patterns, plus a lack of ethics in the practice of medicine are the issues that need to be tackled urgently in this eagerness to ensure a level playing field in sports. Kaveri Prakash cautiously argues for adopting a relatively new approach, under wide discussion, centring on a harm reduction strategy, that would allow performance enhancing substances to be administered under supervision. However, this will only be successful if regulatory and ethical frameworks in related areas are strengthened and current practices are systematically reviewed and either discarded or reformed. Moreover, India needs to pay serious attention to its sporting population, on and off the field, in order to gauge its response to regulation.

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PrEP in Prisons: HIV prevention in incarcerated populations

International Journal of Prisoner Health ◽

10.1108/ijph-09-2019-0053 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 199-206

Author(s):

Jordan Parsons ◽

Chelsea Cox

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Harm Reduction ◽

New Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Harm Reduction Intervention ◽

Access To Health ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

High Risk Populations ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibility of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV harm reduction intervention in prisons. PrEP is primarily discussed in relation to men who have sex with men (MSM), meaning other high-risk populations, such as prisoners, are often side-lined. The authors wanted to consider how it could prove beneficial beyond the MSM community. Design/methodology/approach First, the authors discuss whether the common objections to existing HIV harm reduction interventions in prisons, such as needle exchanges, are applicable to PrEP. The authors then apply common objections to the provision of PrEP in the general population to the provision of PrEP in a prison context in order to assess their strength. Finally, the authors discuss what the authors anticipate to be a key objection to PrEP in prisons: post-incarceration access. Findings The authors argue that both sets of common objections considered are easily refuted in the case of PrEP in prisons. The unique setting and nature of the intervention are such that it is without immediately apparent flaws. In addressing post-incarceration access, the authors suggest that a longitudinal consideration of a prisoner’s HIV risk undermines the objection. Originality/value This discussion is of importance due to the significantly heightened risk of HIV infection prisoners are subject to. Not only do effective HIV prevention interventions in prisons contribute to fair access to health for incarcerated individuals, but also to the wider fight against HIV. The authors demonstrate that PrEP has potential as a new approach and call for further research in this area.

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