title: The effect of incarceration on housing stability among homeless and vulnerably housed individuals in three Canadian cities: A prospective cohort study.
abstract: The objective of the study is to characterize the associations between a history of incarceration and subsequent housing stability over a two-year follow-up period among a sample of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals.
  
  
  
  The study was a prospective cohort study of homeless and vulnerably housed adults in three Canadian cities. Between 2009 and 2012, data were collected using structured, in-person interviews at baseline and two follow-up interviews. Generalized estimating equations were employed to determine the association between reported incarceration within the past 12 months and being housed during the subsequent year over a two-year follow-up period.
  
  
  
  Baseline data were available for 1,189 homeless and vulnerably housed adults. Recent incarceration was reported by 337 (29%) individuals at baseline. In adjusted analyses, incarceration in the past 12 months was independently associated with a decreased likelihood of being housed during the subsequent year over the two-year follow-up period (adjusted odds ratio = 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.50-0.90).
  
  
  
  Homeless and vulnerably housed individuals reporting recent incarceration were less likely to be housed over a two-year follow-up period. These findings highlight the importance of assisting individuals experiencing incarceration with securing stable housing during discharge and post-release planning.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON. mto3@alumni.uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palepu
authors.forename: Flora I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ecker
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Werb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002947:Cities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*