Intervention effects of supplying homeless individuals with permanent housing: a 3-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the intervention effects of supplying homeless individuals with permanent housing.

METHOD: In a prospective study, 109 male and 20 female homeless individuals were assessed at baseline and at 1- and 3-year follow-up concerning mental illness (SCID-I), psychopathology, global assessment of functioning, emotional lability and alcohol consumption.

RESULTS

A high proportion (86%) of the individuals was able to maintain or improve stability of housing. Only minor changes were observed concerning mental illness and global functioning. Extensive alcohol consumption and high psychopathology increased the risk of losing the stable housing.

CONCLUSION

The placement of homeless individuals in board and care homes or community housing after social counselling seems to be a necessary measure to remedy homelessness. However, supplying more permanent housing is not sufficient to decisively improve mental health status.