Preventing Psychiatric Discharge to Homelessness

The present study assessed the effects of an intervention that was designed to provide on-site, predischarge housing assistance for psychiatric clients. Participants included clients from acute (n = 219) and tertiary (n = 32) care hospital sites. Data were collected from hospital and shelter databases. Results revealed that in the majority of cases, the intervention reduced the number of individuals discharged to homelessness or no fixed address. In addition, the costs of implementing and maintaining the intervention were less than the increased medical costs associated with homelessness and housing individuals in shelters.

Publication Date: 
2013
Pages: 
17-28
Volume: 
32
Issue: 
3
Journal Name: 
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Location: 
London, Ontario, Canada