Bridges and Barriers to Housing for Homeless Street Dwellers

Chronic homelessness has been on the rise in the§USA and elsewhere. This research project focuses on a§group of chronically homeless street dwellers in§Boston, Massachusetts in 2000-2002 who due to their§poor health status are at high risk of death. This§in-depth case study analyzes administrative data on§health and substance abuse service use and associated§outcomes. In addition, structured interviews with§service providers and street dwellers provide§information on the process of accessing services and§housing outcomes. Research findings indicate that§only 24 percent of street dwellers were housed at the§end of 2002. Except for long respite care stays,§health and substance abuse services had little impact§on housing outcomes. Interview data point to service§coordination and consistent staff support as bridges§to housing. Barriers encompass lack of affordable§housing, lack of support during transition from the§streets to housing, lack of financial supports,§program eligibility rules, and personal factors.§Policy implications include the need for affordable§housing, support systems for successful transitions§between the streets and housing, and reducing§bureaucratic barriers.