Lessening homelessness among persons with mental illness: A comparison of five randomized treatment trials

Russell K. Schutt, Richard L. Hough, Stephen M. Goldfinger, Anthony F. Lehman, David L. Shern, Elie Valencia, Patricia A. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We evaluate the influence of housing, services, and individual characteristics on housing loss among formerly homeless mentally ill persons who participated in a five-site (4-city) study in the U.S. Housing and service availability were manipulated within randomized experimental designs and substance abuse and other covariates were measured with a common protocol. Findings indicate that housing availability was the primary predictor of subsequent ability to avoid homelessness, while enhanced services reduced the risk of homelessness if housing was also available. Substance abuse increased the risk of housing loss in some conditions in some projects, but specific findings differed between projects and with respect to time spent in shelters and on the streets. We identify implications for research on homeless persons with mental illness that spans different national and local contexts and involves diverse ethnic groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)100-105
Number of pages6
JournalAsian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Homelessness
  • Mental illness
  • Substance abuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • General Psychology

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