Rockville, MD — SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center is announcing the release of a special issue of the Open Health Services and Policy Journal on “The Future of Homeless Services.” Guest edited by the Homelessness Resource Center, the special issue describes the services and supports needed to help individuals and families exit homelessness and maintain housing.
All articles in the special issue are available for free via open access. Visit the Homelessness Resource Center Web site to access the electronic full-text of articles in the special issue, at http://homeless.samhsa.gov/Channel/Future-of-Homeless-Services-503.aspx.
To continue to improve the delivery and financing of prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, SAMHSA has identified 10 Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency’s work. As part of this effort, SAMHSA’s housing and homelessness initiative is designed to end and prevent homelessness by increasing the availability of sustainable supportive housing and other services linked to permanent housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless due to mental and/or substance use disorders.
Homelessness affects men, women, families, children, youth, and veterans. While outside factors like economic conditions or the scarcity of affordable housing may in some cases cause homelessness, certain vulnerabilities may determine who is at higher risk of becoming homeless. These include addictions, mental illness, domestic violence, medical conditions, traumatic stress, and lack of education or job skills.
To date, there is limited research documenting which services are most effective, the best models of delivery, and recommended intensity and duration. The aim of this special issue of the Open Health Services and Policy Journal on “The Future of Homeless Services” is to highlight services that may be most effective in helping individuals move out of homelessness and maintain a stable housing environment.
The special issue includes research and review articles on:
• Approaches to primary, secondary, and tertiary homelessness prevention.
• A synthesis of the evidence base for two best practices in the homelessness field: outreach and engagement and trauma-informed care.
• A framework for understanding the multiple service needs of families experiencing homelessness.
• How a recovery framework benefits consumers of homeless service programs.
• Strategies for understanding the current state of the homeless services workforce and increasing its capacity.
Additionally, the special issue includes two commentary articles. Steven Gaetz, director of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network and the Homeless Hub, offers a review of the current Canadian approach to homelessness. Martha Fleetwood, founder and executive director of HomeBase/the Center for Common Concern in San Francisco, California contributes her perspective on the U.S. response to homelessness over the past thirty years.
The Open Health Services and Policy Journal is a peer-reviewed Open Access online journal that publishes original research articles, reviews, and short articles in all areas of health services and health policy. The journal covers the research, organization, planning, evaluation, management, financing, policy, and provision of health services and healthcare. Visit the journal online at: http://www.bentham.org/open/tohspj/.
Funded by SAMHSA, the Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) is dedicated to improving the daily lives of people who are homeless and who have mental illness, substance use problems, co-occurring disorders, or trauma histories. HRC is funded by SAMHSA’s Homeless Programs Branch, within the Center for Mental Health Services’ Division of Services and Systems Improvement. HRC’s work includes on-site and virtual training, technical assistance, knowledge products, and an interactive 2.0 website targeted to direct service providers.
Join the HRC community by visiting: http://www.homeless.samhsa.gov/ and clicking on “Register.” Community members can rate and comment on resources, network, and receive electronic newsletters from the HRC.
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