Preventing Discharge to No Fixed Address – Version 2:

Abstract

The “No Fixed Address” version 2 (NFAv.2) project tested the efficacy of a potential best practice program that aimed to prevent discharge from hospital into homelessness. Forchuk and colleagues developed a system that streamlined housing and social supports using on-site access to help inpatients in a psychiatric unit who were homeless or at-risk of homelessness find safe, affordable housing. A total of 370 individuals accessed the NFAv.2 program between August 2017 and May 2020. Of these, 88 participants who accessed the intervention were enrolled in the evaluation of the project. Information on housing history and housing outcomes were collected during hospital admission and at 3-time points post-discharge. Focus groups were conducted for program participants, health care staff, and community partners to gather information regarding their experiences with the program. Of those who participated in the intervention, 80% were housed and remained housed at 12 months post-discharge. Results from focus groups also indicated that the majority of NFAv.2 clients, staff, and community partners were satisfied with the intervention. Since homelessness has a detrimental effect on recovery, client safety, and healthcare expenditures, locating safe housing has had a positive impact on treatment, rehabilitation, and the healthcare system as a whole. The findings of this project offer policy alternatives for the prevention of homelessness for at-risk individuals.

Keywords

• homelessness prevention
• homelessness, healthcare delivery, discharge planning
• homeless, housing, health and social needs, lived experience, policy
• housing first
• mental illness
• mental health services