Date Presented 03/23/24
This study examined the perspectives of service providers working with people transitioning from homelessness to becoming and staying housed. Findings will be discussed, as well as identified service gaps that OT can target for intervention.
Primary Author and Speaker: Laura Vanpuymbrouck
Additional Authors and Speakers: Samantha Bertucci, Megan Hartney, Taylor MacKenzie, Samantha Marsh
PURPOSE: Transitioning out of homelessness is accompanied by client factors (Marshall & Rosenberg, 2014), system, and process factors that exist within current programming in the United States (Black, 2018). No matter the factors, clients routinely fall through the cracks and are not successful in sustaining housing long-term. Despite use of best practices (Macnaughton et al., 2016; Tsemberis, 2010) current programing may not be effective in meeting the needs of the homeless community during transition and long-term. Therefore, the objective of this study was to understand service providers’ perceptions about factors that matter for successful sustained housing for people transitioning from homelessness (PTH) to housed, to inform development of OT interventions.
DESIGN: This study is part of a larger IRB approved participatory action research project to identify supports and barriers to achieving successful sustained housing for PTH. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to explore service providers’ perceptions. Participants volunteered by responding to the recruitment email sent to local organizations working with PTH.
METHOD: We used semi-structured 1:1 interviews of participants (n=3) to explore what service workers believe provide: 1) the greatest opportunity for successfully sustaining housing; and 2) that create the greatest obstacles.
RESULTS: Overarching themes emerged of factors that support or obstruct a PTH to achieve successful housing long-term. These include relearning housed occupations, knowledge and access to resources, and individualization of services, among others.
CONCLUSION: Multiple gaps are identified in support services for PTH and the findings of this study can be used to inform targeted OT interventions.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Housing transition services rarely include OT, however, the services and skills necessary to be successful in sustained housing for PTH fall within the scope of OT practice.
References
Black, E. B., Fedyszyn, I. E., Mildred, H., Perkin, R., Lough, R., Brann, P., & Ritter, C. (2018). Homeless youth: Barriers and facilitators for service referrals. Evaluation and program planning, 68, 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.02.009
Macnaughton, E., Townley, G., Nelson, G., Caplan, R., Macleod, T., Polvere, L.,Goering, P.(2016). How does Housing First catalyze recovery?: Qualitative findings from a Canadian multi-site randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 19(2), 136–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/15487768.2016.1162759
Marshall, C.A. & Rosenberg, M.W. (2014). Occupation and the process of transition from homelessness. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81(5), 330–338. 10.1177/0008417414548573
Tsemberis, S. (2010). Housing First: The Pathways Model to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness and Addiction Manual. European Journal of Homelessness, 5(2),235–240. https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/housing-first-pathways-model-end-homelessness-people-mental-illness-and-addiction
