Effects of a permanent supportive housing model on emergency services utilization among recently housed, formerly homeless veterans

The purpose of this study was to determine whether access to supportive housing is associated with a decrease in emergency services utilization among formerly homeless, high acuity veterans residing in New Directions for Veterans permanent supportive housing sites for at least six months. It was hypothesized that permanent supportive housing would decrease interactions with emergency services among the study population. Pre-housing data was taken from the Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool (VI-SPDAT) that each resident completed. Post-housing data was taken from agency case notes and incident reports. Results found permanent supportive housing was associated with a decline in emergency services utilization among the study population. Implications of this study demonstrated the efficacy of the housing first and harm reduction models implemented in New Directions' permanent supportive housing programs, and supports the growing body of research that demonstrates permanent supportive housing as an effective intervention to address homelessness.