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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Julia B. Dickson-Gomez, PhD, Mark Convey, MA, and Helena DeMoura-Castro. Institute for Community Research, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100, Hartford, CT 06106, (860)278-2044, julia.dickson@icrweb.org

Background: Several policies criminalizing drug use significantly impact drug users' access to housing. While there is also a growing movement to provide permanent housing with supportive services for the chronically homeless, personal characteristics of drug users may impede or facilitate access to these. This paper will explore the impact of housing policies on active drug users' access to housing and structural and personal factors related to their homelessness and housing stability over time.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 65 active cocaine or heroin users at baseline, 3- and 6- months. Participants were purposively sampled to reflect a variety of housing statuses including homeless on the streets, in shelters, “doubled-up” with family or friends, or permanently housed in subsidized, unsubsidized or supportive housing. Interviews were analyzed to explore factors related to changes in housing status.

Results: Factors that led to homelessness included arrest, eviction, absence of housing subsidies and lack of social support. Stably housed participants reported losing their housing, subsidies or welfare entitlements after arrest. Participants who were convicted of violent offenses were unable to receive housing subsidies while those with any criminal conviction reported that their housing applications were denied. Factors that led to housing stability included having family support, housing subsidies, and social supportive services.

Conclusions: Active drug users can maintain independent housing when provided appropriate structural supports including rental subsidies and social services. Arrest disrupts drug users' housing stability. Programs to appropriately house those released from jail could help decrease homelessness among this population.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation participants will be able to

• Identify housing policies, structural and personal factors that impact drug users' access to housing and their housing stability over time.
• Discuss appropriate interventions to decrease homelessness among active drug users.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, Homelessness

Related Web page: www.incommunityresearch.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation