Improving health access and health education for individuals and families in supportive housing

Background and Issues: Supportive housing programs are designed to provide housing and services that will allow chronically homeless people to live as independently as possible. Assistance provided to participants focuses on residential stability, income, and self-determination. In limited research, health issues have been identified as barriers to self-sufficiency. Description: Based on this research evidence, faculty from a land-grant University School of Nursing developed an academic-community partnership with a local non-profit organization operating a supportive housing facility. Twice a month, a nurse practitioner works with interprofessional teams of students to conduct health assessments, provide health education, initiate referrals to community agencies, and identify needs for age-appropriate preventive screenings and immunizations. Outcomes and Lessons Learned: Original project plans had to be changed due to construction constraints so eliciting residents' participation in project design and implementation and gaining access to residents have been challenging. Eighteen individuals (10 men, 3 women, and 5 children) have been served through multiple home visits. Services included health assessment and education (16), blood pressure checks (8), referrals and follow-up (3), and immunizations (5). Health professions students need a significant amount of assistance to interact effectively with residents. Recommendations: Developing a home visiting program in a supportive housing facility requires a substantial investment of time to develop connections with residents. Comprehensive marketing of the program (including pictures of the project teams), use of communication aids (i.e., “sorry we missed you” notes), and the identification of at least one resident champion are strategies being employed to increase participation.