How Can Transitional Housing Be Improved? Insights from Residents' Experiences and Perceptions in New York City

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• Homelessness significantly increases health risks and reduces life expectancy.
• Transitional housing (TH) is a critical intervention for the unhoused population.
• Understanding service engagement in TH programs is crucial for improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine factors influencing support service usage among TH residents.
• To identify opportunities for enhancing support services within TH programs.
• To capture the lived experiences of TH residents regarding service engagement.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with TH residents in New York City (n=20).
• Qualitative analysis explored residents' perspectives on service usage and barriers.
• The socioecological model guided the examination of influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Five key factors affected service engagement: intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, and policy.
• Barriers included self-efficacy, health conditions, staff interactions, bureaucracy, social isolation, and policy challenges.
• Recommendations focused on improving institutional and community-level support.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the complex needs of TH residents requires a multi-level approach.
• Tailoring services based on residents' experiences is essential for effective support.
• Improving service engagement in TH programs can advance health equity for the unhoused.