Hospital-based transitional housing and care at discharge for persons experiencing homelessness

Abstract

ABSTRACT People identifying as homeless in high income countries are becoming older and more medically complex. Previous studies have demonstrated the health and social benefits of various housing interventions for people who are homeless after hospital discharge. In this pre-/post-intervention cohort study, we recruited 57 participants from two transitional housing programs on the grounds of a single inner-city tertiary care center. In comparison to the 12 months prior to attending the transitional housing program, the number of hospital admissions decreased by 45% in the 12 months thereafter from an average of 2.0 to 1.1 admissions (p = 0.01). The number of inpatient days decreased by 64% from an average of 23.2 to 8.3 days (p < 0.01). Housing status at 12 months after baseline interviews had improved for 42% of our participants. Through our qualitative interviews with participants, key strengths of the programs included the trauma-informed approach and social service navigation provided by staff members, as well as the stable physical environment with proximity to comprehensive healthcare and social resources. Among hospitalized individuals facing homelessness, our study demonstrates that participation in a hospital-based transitional housing program can be associated with reductions in hospitalizations and hospital length of stay, and improved housing status.