Implementation Evaluation of a Housing First Program in a Small Canadian City
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
1 December 2014
Abstract
This paper describes the implementation of Housing First in a small Canadian city. Given that the majority of Housing First research has been conducted in large American cities, providing a Canadian context in a small city contributes significant insights for similarly sized areas. The main objectives were to determine the adaptations made to the Housing First model and the contextual realities that affected implementation. Data were collected from two sources: (a) a fidelity assessment by an external team of experts; and (b) key informant interviews and focus groups with program staff and consumers. Results demonstrate that Housing First can be successfully implemented in a small city but with certain constraints and adaptations, notably more limited consumer choice of housing, challenges related to consumer access to transportation, and adaptations to program staffing. Implications for practice are discussed.
Résumé
Le travail décrit l'implantation d'un programme de logement d'abord (Housing First) dans une petite ville canadienne. Une étude dans ce contexte contribue des nouvelles connaissances car la majorité des études sur le logement d'abord ont été complétées dans des grandes villes américaines. Les objectifs principaux de la recherche étaient de documenter les adaptations faites au modèle logement d'abord et les facteurs qui affectaient son implantation. Les données ont été collectionnées de deux sources: (a) Une évaluation de fidélité par une équipe d'experts externes au programme; et (b) des entrevues et groupes de discussion avec le personnel et les usagères et usagers affiliés au programme. Les résultats démontrent que le logement d'abord peut être implanté dans une petite ville mais avec certaines limites et adaptations, notamment des limites reliées aux choix des logements par les usagères et usagers, des défis associés avec l'accès au transport, et des adaptations reliés à la composition de l’équipe des intervenants et intervenantes. Les implications des résultats pour l'implantation des programmes de logement d'abord sont discutées.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 33 • Number 4 • December 2014
Pages: 23 - 40
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Version of record online: 1 December 2014
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EckerJohn, AubryTim, ChernerRebecca, and JettéJonathan. 2014. Implementation Evaluation of a Housing First Program in a Small Canadian City. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
33(4): 23-40. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2014-028
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