Supported Housing:
Research and Best Practices
The Transformation Center
Boston, MA.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Outline of Presentation
1. Description and Types of Supported Housing
2. Role in Community Integration
3. Benefits & Challenges
4. Review of the Research
5. Advocacy & Resources
6. Conclusions
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
What is Supported Housing?

Supported housing helps individuals acquire and
maintain independent housing that is integrated
into the community.

The consumer has choice and control over his/her
services and supports.

The consumer is in a long term housing situation
but the supports may change over time as
needed.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Some Models of Supported Housing
As Described in the Research
1. Supported Housing Program which helps
consumer to acquire and maintain housing of
their choice - the housing is the intervention (or
part of it.)
2. Case Management Program which provides
support to individuals who are in their own living
situations; program helps to acquire subsidized
or affordable housing by partnering with
community agencies.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing: Benefits

Gives consumers more control over the supports
and services

Supports can decrease, increase or change
according to the needs and wishes of the
individual

Eliminates multiple moves, provides stability

Can reduce hospitalizations and improve the
quality of life.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing: Challenges

Obtaining enough subsidized housing is very
challenging when the demand is so great.

Typically there are long waiting lists.

The field would benefit from better cost-benefit
studies (usually SH costs more but may decrease
some other costs such as treatment.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Research Review by Boston University
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
(and Panel of 10 Experts)

Rationale for the Review: People in the field of
rehabilitation needed the information on
supported housing research, even though many
studies did not have randomized trials.

Reviewed and Rated: 15 years of research
including studies in which housing was an
intervention, those where housing was the
outcome and those where housing was both.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing:
Research Findings
1. Supported housing can improve housing status
and increase the quality of life of residents who
have psychiatric disabilities, are homeless, at
risk of homelessness and/or may be substance
abusing.
2. Consumers frequently prefer independent
housing rather than group/congregate living.
3.
Higher quality housing may lead to better
quality outcomes.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing:
Research Findings
4. When housing is affordable, there is a more
direct and quicker exit from homelessness and
stable independent living is more likely.
5.
When consumers go directly to supported
housing (vs. group home), they are more likely
to remain in their housing for a longer time.
(Housing stability rates have been found to be
63% - 81%.)
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing:
Research Findings
6. Housing subsidies lead to greater success in
getting and keeping housing.
7. SH costs are greater than group living but may
offer some savings in other services such as
treatment.
8. Traditional case management is not sufficient to
effect stable housing; intensive supports need to
be available for those who need it, including
practical supports such as laundry, shopping,
and cleaning.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing:
Research Findings
9.
There is some evidence that women fare
better in supported housing than men.
10. Studying residential options using a randomized
design is possible, but the attrition of
participants presents a challenge.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing: Research
(continued)
•
Supported housing does not guarantee:



•
Social integration
Improvement of symptoms
Solving of practical problems
When services promote social integration
with the community, housing outcomes
are improved, (but not necessarily clinical
outcomes).
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Need for Further Investigation

What is the relationship between housing, mental health
outcomes and satisfaction?

What role do housing types have in relation to therapeutic
benefits to individuals (unrelated to services)?

How should we define “housing stability” for research
purposes so studies can be compared?
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)
Supported Housing: Conclusions

Integrated, long term independent housing with
supports is critically important to rehabilitation
and recovery.

Supported housing in combination with subsidies
can significantly improve the quality of life of
residents.

Programs need to assist consumers in their
community integration and prevent isolation.
Compiled by the Supported Housing Study Group at Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. Innovative
Knowledge Dissemination & Utilization Project for Disability & Professional Stakeholder Organizations/ NIDRR Grant #
(H133A050006)