Abstract

Successful implementation of Housing First requires a good supply of affordable housing. Since 2002, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch, has purchased 40 condominium units in regular buildings scattered across Ottawa, Canada, to rent to their clients with severe mental illnesses who have a history of homelessness. Seeking to share their experience of this approach that creates affordable housing for Housing First tenants, researchers conducted a case study of the program, documenting its implementation and client outcomes. Thirteen tenants and 24 key informants (staff, management, board members, property managers, and funders) participated. Tenants reported housing stability, improved mental and physical health, decreased substance use, and community integration. Key informants echoed these positive outcomes. Participants also identified program challenges, including aging clients, loneliness, experiences of exclusion, and a vulnerability to home takeovers. At the program-level, challenges included unanticipated program costs, heavy case manager workloads, managing repairs, some eviction cases, and the high prices of condos in central, accessible areas.

摘要

住房优先计划的成功实施需要充足的经济适用房供应。自 2002 年以来，加拿大心理健康协会渥太华分会已在加拿大渥太华各地的普通建筑中购买了 40 套公寓单元，出租给有严重精神疾病且有无家可归史的客户。为了分享他们为 Housing First 租户创造经济适用房的方法的经验，研究人员对该计划进行了案例研究，记录了其实施和客户成果。13 名租户和 24 名主要知情人（员工、管理层、董事会成员、物业经理和资助者）参与了调查。租户报告说住房稳定、身心健康得到改善、物质使用减少以及社区融合。关键信息提供者回应了这些积极的结果。参与者还确定了项目面临的挑战，包括老龄化客户、孤独感、排斥经历以及对房屋收购的脆弱性。在计划层面，挑战包括意外的计划成本、繁重的案件经理工作量、管理维修、一些驱逐案件以及中心、可访问地区的公寓价格高昂。