A Formative Evaluation of a Rent Subsidy Program for Homeless Substance Abusers

Abstract

This article reports a formative evaluation of the Bridge to Home Program which provides rental subsidies and supportive services to working shelter residents with histories of substance abuse. This evaluation focused on the first 80 participants who departed the program. Thirty-eight percent successfully completed the 2-year program; 26% voluntarily withdrew; and another 36% were terminated for non-compliance. Logistic regression identified several past and present characteristics which significantly increased the odds of successful completion. Among those clients who voluntarily withdrew from the program, variables associated with past independent living experience and recent job terminations distinguished them from those who completed the program. Among those who were involuntarily dismissed from the program, variables associated with past job instability and lack of personal investment at the current job distinguished them from those who completed the program. These characteristics were used to derive working hypotheses for program service delivery revisions. The relevance of these findings for maintaining housing stability and financial self sufficiency for this population were also discussed.

Key Words:

• Homelessness
• substance abuse
• rental subsidies