Open AccessHospital-to-Shelter/Housing Interventions for Persons Experiencing Homelessness
Author(s) -
Sarah L. Canham,
Joe Humphries,
Kishore Seetharaman,
Karen Custodio,
Celine Mauboules,
Chloe Good,
Dustin Lupick,
Harvey Bosma
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal on homelessness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2564-310X
DOI - 10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.13455
Subject(s) - supportive housing , psychological intervention , nursing , phone , affordable housing , participatory action research , health care , medicine , business , economic growth , linguistics , philosophy , economics
Persons with lived and living experiences of homelessness (PWLEs) commonly use hospitals and emergency departments to access healthcare yet support for transitions from hospital to shelter/housing can be challenging to access. To improve the continuity of care and health outcomes for PWLEs who are being discharged from hospital, a more complete understanding of two hospital-to-shelter/housing programs in Metro Vancouver, Canada was sought. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we conducted in-depth interviews in-person or by phone. Participants included eight healthcare and shelter/housing decision-makers and providers and a convenience sample of ten program participants (two females and eight males who ranged in age from 31 to 74 years old; average = 50 years old). Data were analyzed in NVivo 12 to identify successes including: 1) achieving health stability and recovery following hospital discharge; 2) having privacy and freedom while in the program; 3) building relationships with providers; 4) having formal support to find housing; and 5) cross-sector relationships between providers. Challenges included: 1) limited availability of affordable and appropriate housing; 2) other guests’ ways of life; 3) complex needs versus limited after-care resources; and 4) inequities in program access. While hospital-to-shelter/housing programs can serve as intervention opportunities to connect PWLEs to permanent housing, discharge plans need to acknowledge the local limitations on housing availability and offer short-term options for patients who require sub-acute rest and convalescence.