title: Housing First: permanent supported accommodation for people with psychosis who have experienced chronic homelessness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine whether a 'housing first' permanent supported accommodation was effective in improving housing stability, continuity of care and reducing mental health admissions for persons experiencing chronic homelessness with psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi prospective cohort study of 42 chronic homeless persons with psychosis accommodated in a new purpose built facility in central Melbourne. Accommodation stability, mental health service contacts and psychiatric admissions were compared across the 2 years prior, the first 2 years of placement and the 2 years after leaving.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of mental health admissions in the first 2 years of accommodation was less (0.56, SD = 1.0) when compared with in the 2 years prior to accommodation (1.0, SD = 1.4, p = 0.05). There was an increase in the mean total number of days admitted in the 2 years after having left the supported accommodation, (33.3 days, SD = 86.7, p = 0.043) Conclusions: The accommodation of chronic homeless persons with psychosis in a 'housing first' permanent supported accommodation lead to increased housing stability and optimism, improved continuity of care and reduced psychiatric admissions.
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Inner West Area Mental Health Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carlisle
authors.affiliation: General Manager Northern Services - Executive Team, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.affiliation: Service Development Manager, Research, Service Development and Advocacy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatvani
authors.affiliation: Manager, Elizabeth Street Common Ground, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Camillie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heagney
authors.affiliation: Inner West Area Mental Health Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: chronic; homeless; housing; psychosis