Housing and Community Partner Views on the Benefits of Housing with Services: The Right Care, Right Place, Right Time Program.

Abstract

Older adult-focused housing with services programs seek to improve access to supportive services, particularly among individuals residing in subsidized housing. The Right Care, Right Place, Right Time (R3) program comprises two on-site wellness teams responsible for 400 participants across seven housing sites in Greater Boston. These embedded teams work directly with residents to address health-related needs and access to services. This study reports on the perceived benefits of participating in the R3 program from the perspective of housing staff and community partners. Data were derived from 24 semi-structured interviews conducted as part of a program evaluation. Participants described resident, housing, and system-related reasons for deciding to participate in the R3 program and experiences of their participation. In addition to positive overall assessments, housing partner interviewees reported concrete and psychosocial benefits for housing residents (e.g., connecting with resources, enabling longer stays, empowering residents, alleviating distress) and staffing and resident-related benefits. Community partners perceived more appropriate utilization of services by residents (e.g., reducing emergency transports). Findings elucidate why housing and community partners might be motivated to integrate housing, health, and supportive care to affordable housing for older adults using a wellness team.