LIFE AFTER SUPPORTED HOUSING: A CASE SERIES OF FORMERLY HOMELESS CLIENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS-SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (HUD-VASH) PROGRAM 20 YEARS LATER

摘要

This article presents a case series of three formerly homeless clients who were in the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program 20 years ago and describes their progress since. Clients were identified from a 1992 client roster at one of the original HUD-VASH sites. Clients were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. The case studies were characterized as “sustained involvement in subsidized housing,” “successful discharge followed by re-engagement,” and “case management more important than the voucher.” These cases illustrate that, first, long-term success in supported housing has not been defined, but perhaps social integration and self-sufficiency should be a focus. Second, mental health and substance abuse treatment appear to be important in long-term client success, but when and how they should be promoted remains unclear. Last, case management services may represent a crucial and necessary form of support for clients in supported housing programs.