A jail screening and post-release permanent supportive housing program is associated with fewer inpatient visits, more mental health outpatient visits, and overall cost savings.
Varying structures of cross-sector partnerships between health care organizations, social service agencies, and local government bodies have distinct strengths and serve different functions.
Implementation insights from a permanent supportive housing diversion program in Los Angeles for people in the criminal legal system with serious mental illness point to the value of cross-sector, cross-agency partnerships.
A randomized controlled trial found Denver’s Housing First program led to positive impacts on health and utilization for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and frequent periods of incarceration.
Trust, flexible funding, cross-sector support, sustainability, and an explicit focus on structural racism are identified as key components of effective community engagement to advance health equity.
Permanent supportive housing programs with a “Housing First” approach can improve health outcomes and reduce acute care use for people experiencing homelessness with disabling conditions.