Accessing Housing: Exploring the Impact of Medical and Substance Abuse Services on Housing Attainment for Chronically Homeless Street Dwellers

Abstract

This mixed-methods study addresses transitions out of homelessness associated with medical and substance abuse service use for a unique cohort of 174 chronically homeless street dwellers at risk of death. Multi-nominal and survival analyses indicate that high-risk women, white street dwellers, older individuals, and those with health insurance coverage had greater odds of leaving the streets. Thouh high-risk street dwellers used health services extensively, medical and substance abuse treatments did not impact positive housing outcomes, except for extended stays at homeless respite care. Policy implications include the need for increasing affordable housing options and integrating housing services into any type of health services for chronically homeless street dwellers.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic homelessness
• homeless outreach
• homeless street dwellers
• homeless medical services
• housing

Notes

Note. *More than one response possible.

Note. *Percents do not total 100 owing to rounding.

*Significant differences yielded in regression analyses between those housed/in program over one or both of the other groups.