title: The role and meaning of interim housing in housing first programs for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness.
abstract: The housing first (HF) model for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness differs by design from traditional models that require consumers to achieve "housing readiness" by meeting program or treatment prerequisites in transitional housing settings prior to permanent housing placement. Given a growing body of evidence for its favorable outcomes and cost effectiveness, HF is increasingly seen as an alternative to and argument against these traditional programs. As such, it is important that the elements and implementation challenges of the HF model be clearly understood and articulated. This qualitative study explored a largely unexamined aspect of the HF model-the need for and meaning of temporary residential settings (interim housing), a place to stay while waiting to secure permanent housing-using interviews and focus groups with service providers and consumers who experienced interim housing during implementation of HF in a large urban center. Although interim housing may not be necessary for all programs implementing the model, our study revealed numerous reasons and demands for safe, flexible interim housing options, and illustrated how they influence the effectiveness of consumer recovery, continuous service engagement, and housing stability.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zerger
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Francombe Pridham
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Jeyagobi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeyaratnam
authors.affiliation: Toronto North Support Services.
authors.forename: Jolynn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connelly
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Campo
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health.
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stergiopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055815:Young Adult