Take the time to provide constructive feedback to at least one of your classmate’s post. Feel free to discuss any interesting points in the article or about the problem in general. It is ok to have interesting side conversations that relate to the topic at hand.
CLASSMATE’S POST
The Evidence Behind Approaches that Drive an End to Homelessness
While attention is often placed on the rate of Individuals are placed in housing, not much attention has been placed on the tracking of outcomes that are long-term once they are no longer homeless and the rates of the individuals that re-enter the homeless system. This article discusses the outcomes of individuals that have gone through different homeless intervention programs. There are three major homeless programs: Rapid Re-housing, Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing. According to research individuals that have gone through programs of permanent supportive housing and rapid-Re housing intervention programs are less likely to return to homelessness. This article gives reasons for individuals returning to homelessness:
· Not receiving the needed social support to be able to move through the process of obtaining services
· When they exit homelessness, rather than exiting to stable housing they exit to circumstances that are considered to be tenuous
· The head of household’s age, according to research this can be a deciding factor in the ability to secure housing.
There is a percentage of those that receive intervention services and once they complete the program they end up homeless again. Its important to study the outcomes and try to get an understanding of why this came to be.
Rapid- Re housing is for families and individuals that may not need extensive and ongoing support in order to exit homelessness quickly and enter permanent housing.
Transitional housing typically provides temporary housing for up to 24 months and also offers supportive services and assistance with acquiring a more permanent home.
Permanent supportive housing- combines healthcare, supportive services, and housing. It is said this has been successful in reducing homelessness. Research suggests those that who have social support from friends and families have fewer episodes of homelessness. Individuals and families that have financial and emotional support are more likely to transition successfully to permanent housing from being homeless. When individuals don’t have that social support system that will help with coordinating the transition from homeless, it can be hard to maintain stability.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) US Department of Health and Human Services
A very important part of recovery is having housing that is stable. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration seeks to improve services and treatment that will support the health and wellness of those they help. According to the article, it is well known that behavioral health that is left untreated can lead to unemployment thus making it difficult to maintain employment and stable housing. According to National Drug Control and policy, approximately 30% of individuals that are experiencing chronic homelessness have serious mental illness, and about two-thirds have substance abuse disorders and other chronic health conditions.
HOMELESS SERVICE OUTCOMES AND REASONS FOR RE-ENTRY
Having a safe and stable place is a way to end homelessness, by using the practices that work the best combined with a coordinated response are driving the way to end homelessness. This article talks of the importance of a stable home, an evidence-based approach for assessable new and existing affordable homes for individuals and families receiving rapid re-housing, and people with intense needs receiving supporting housing opportunities. Having a stable home is important to healthy and strong communities and this allows for individuals and families to be able to address their challenges and go after their goals. According to research, homelessness and housing instability can cripple the prospects of employment growth, attaining education, health stability, and the ability to preserve family is greatly reduced. Participants in homeless interventions are much less likely to return to homelessness. Participants that use the Housing First approach program show housing retention rates “between 75-85% for single adults and between 80-90% for families”. Programs that tackle homelessness help expand the understanding the solutions for ending homelessness.
These articles help me to understand the needs and solutions that are needed to end homelessness. There are some that after completing a few intervention programs end up homeless again. I wanted to get an understanding of what is needed and what I can implement in my program to help end homelessness and help participants obtain gainful employment and stable housing while reducing the chances of being homeless again.
I intend to use the rapid-re-house model to help families and individuals obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible. I will implement the three components, “housing identification, rent, and move-in assistance, and case management and services to support housing stability.
References:
(n.d.). Sol Price Center for Social Innovation – University of Southern California. https://socialinnovation.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Outcomes-Re-Entry-Literature-Review.pdfLinks to an external site.
Grant programs and services. (2022, April 22). SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/grant-programs-servicesLinks to an external site.
(n.d.). United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). https://www.usich.gov/resources/uploads/asset_library/Evidence-Behind-Approaches-That-End-Homelessness-Brief-2019.pdfLinks to an external site.
