Not so permanent, permanent supportive housing: Factors associated with exiting permanent supportive housing in Cincinnati

Background: Permanent supportive housing (PSH) provides services to homeless persons who are hard to house due to severe disabilities. There is limited research about who leaves PSH and differences between PSH program types (short vs. long-term housing subsidies). The purpose of this study is to understand where people go if they exit PSH and the factors associated with exiting compared to those who remain in PSH.

Methods: The sample included 456 adults in 20 scattered site PSH units in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2006. Persons were followed annually until 2009 using HMIS data. The mean age was 41.7(SD 10.5) years, 62.1% were male, 72.5% were black. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with an exit (permanent situation, returning to homelessness, or staying in PSH).

Results: Half exited to a permanent situation, 25% returned to homelessness, and 25% stayed in PSH. There were significant differences in length of stay between a permanent situation (1yr,SD .88), staying in PSH (3yrs,SD .69), and returning to homelessness (<1yr,SD .74) (p<.001). Clients returning to homelessness were less likely to have been in a long-term subsidy program (OR=.37;p=.019) compared to those who stayed in PSH. Those who exited to a permanent housing situation were more likely (OR=1.05;p<.001) to have income upon intake compared to those who stayed in PSH. Demographic, substance abuse, and health factors were not associated with exiting.

Implications: Future research should evaluate the components of PSH housing subsidies and recidivism into PSH to assess the most efficacious features that end homelessness.