Implementation of the Community Homes for Opportunity Program Among Community Mental Health Staff in Southwestern Ontario

Abstract

Supportive housing programs such as the Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO) that provide combined formal (off-site healthcare providers) and informal (on-site supports are effective in reducing erratic housing and homelessness. This study explored the views of the Community Mental Health Agency staff on their experiences with the CHO and related changes for further improvement of the program. We applied focused ethnographic techniques to recruit 47 agency staff from 28 group homes in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Focus group discussions were conducted at two-time points (baseline–spring 2018 and post-implementation – winter 2019). Data analysis guided by Leininger’s ethnographic qualitative analysis techniques produced three main themes and 11 subthemes themes. The main themes include facilitators of CHO, challenges to the CHO implementation, and strategies for improving the CHO program. Overall, supportive housing models have been found to constitute an effective pathway to reducing precarious housing and ending chronic homelessness for those in need while enhancing their social integration.