Health Care and Public Service Use and Costs Before and After Provision of Housing for Chronically Homeless Persons With Severe Alcohol Problems
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The objective of this article is to evaluate the association of a “Housing First” intervention for chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems and high health care use and costs (including cost of jail bookings, days incarcerated, shelter and sobering center use, hospital-based medical services, publicly funded alcohol and drug detoxification and treatment, emergency medical services, and Medicaid-funded services). Individuals are placed in supportive housing with on-site case managers that engage residents on substance use.
Goal / Mission
To evaluate the association of a “Housing First” intervention for chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems with health care use and costs.
Impact
Total cost offsets for Housing First participants relative to controls averaged $2449 per person per month after accounting for housing program costs.
Results / Accomplishments
Housing First participants had total costs of $8,175,922 in the year prior to the study, or median costs of $4066 per person per month (interquartile range [IQR], $2067-$8264). Median monthly costs decreased to $1492 (IQR, $337-$5709) and $958 (IQR, $98-$3200) after 6 and 12 months in housing, respectively.
About this Promising Practice
Primary Contact
Mary E. Larimer
University of Washington, Seattle, 1100 NE 45th St, Ste 300, Box 354944, Seattle, WA 98195
larimer@u.washington.edu
University of Washington, Seattle, 1100 NE 45th St, Ste 300, Box 354944, Seattle, WA 98195
larimer@u.washington.edu
Topics
Economy / Housing & Homes
Health / Other Conditions
Health / Other Conditions
Date of publication
4/1/2009
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities