Exploring a shared vision for success in permanent supportive housing: a community-partnered study in Colorado, USA.

Abstract

In the United States and within Colorado, the number of persons experiencing homelessness has risen, with over 600,000 counted on a single night in 2023. Limited data integration across healthcare and social services hinders understanding of how permanent supportive housing (PSH) affects health outcomes. Our study in partnership with healthcare experts, housing providers, and a community advisory panel aimed to integrate data from health records, the justice system, and housing case manager notes to create a multidimensional measure of PSH success. Metrics not only included housing retention but engagement in care, wellness, housing rule adherence, and overall success. The initial 608 records were reduced to an analytic sample of 180 due to data loss across systems. Findings highlighted case managers' adaptability and the need for dynamic indicators of client progress. This study underscores the importance of a social-health information exchange and partnerships for improving access and understanding success in supportive housing.