Policy recommendations to address factors that impact the health and wellness of individuals living in a Housing First program: Results from the Neighborhood Services Organization/Bell – Oakland University Partnership PhotoVoice Project

People who are homeless often have significant physical health problems, addictions, trauma, mental health concerns, and mortality rates.  The Bell Building (Bell), an initiative of the Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) in Detroit, is a program that uses a “Housing First” approach to provide stable, permanent housing to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.  Residing in housing and having support services available to tenants provides new opportunities to focus on health, but it is also likely that the social and structural forces that contribute to poverty and homelessness continue to impact the tenants of Bell and affect their health.

The NSO/Bell-OU Partnership is a community-based participatory research partnership between NSO and Oakland University.  The NSO/Bell-OU Partnership implemented a PhotoVoice project with tenants of the Bell Building. As part of the PhotoVoice project, participants received training on basic photography techniques, safety, and ethics, received cameras, and took photos on themes of health and wellness.  Participants selected photos for group discussion.  A policy advocacy training was offered and ran parallel to the PhotoVoice project. The research study culminated in two exhibits where community members and policy makers were invited.  Study participants also took part in a focus group to discuss their experience in the study.

Results from this study will be discussed, including factors that impact the health and wellness of Bell tenants and tenants’ suggestions on how to address these factors through programs and policy change. Benefits and challenges of providing policy advocacy training in association with a PhotoVoice project will be discussed.