Outcomes of supported housing for homeless veterans with psychiatric and substance abuse problems

This study examines the effect of previous participation in time limited residential treatment and other factors on treatment outcomes among homeless veterans with serious mental illness placed into permanent supported housing. The sample consisted of 655 veterans placed into supported housing at 18 sites through the VA's Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Supported Housing Program during the period 1993-2000. Data on client and program characteristics, and treatment outcomes, were documented by HCHV case managers staffing these programs. Data on use of VA services, including time limited residential treatment received 6 months prior to entry into supported housing, were extracted from VA administrative files. The relationship of prior residential treatment, as well as other measures of client characteristics, service use, and program characteristics, to outcomes were assessed using both bivariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and logistic regression. After adjusting for client characteristics, service use, and program characteristics, no differences in outcomes were found between clients who had received prior residential treatment and those placed directly into permanent supported housing. Prior residential treatment appears to have little effect on treatment outcomes among formerly homeless veterans placed into permanent supported housing programs providing indirect support for the direct placement supported housing model.