Factors associated with recovery from homelessness among veterans in permanent supportive housing

Aims We sought to identify person- and program-level factors distinguishing permanent supportive housing (PSH) residents with higher versus lower social integration; and higher versus lower instrumental functioning. Methods Among 60 PSH residents at Los Angeles' VA, surveys and medical records captured person-level factors. Using a median split, we dichotomized participants with higher versus lower social integration; and higher versus lower instrumental functioning. Recursive partitioning (RP) identified variables that best-differentiated these subgroups. Interviews with 26 participants captured their perceptions on social integration and instrumental functioning. Results Using RP, health-related quality of life, psychiatric symptoms and case management frequency best-differentiated the social integration subgroups. Few perceived that PSH affected social integration. RP did not yield a stable model to differentiate the instrumental functioning subgroups; participants perceived that PSH addressed most functional deficits. Conclusions Services that enhance social integration may benefit PSH residents with poor health; existing services may adequately address instrumental functioning.

Automated summary

This study aimed to distinguish PSH residents with different levels of social integration and instrumental functioning. Health-related quality of life, psychiatric symptoms, and case management frequency were found to be important factors for social integration. PSH services may benefit residents with poor health, while existing services may adequately address instrumental functioning.