[homeles_ot-l] Findings from HUD's Family Options Study

[Tim D. Aubry]

FYI.  The full report on findings from the Family Options Study can be accessed at:
http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/family_options_study.html
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EW HUD REPORT FINDS HOMELESS FAMILIES OFFERED VOUCHERS
FARE BETTER THAN FAMILIES PROVIDED OTHER ASSISTANCE
Costs of voucher comparable to or substantially less than other options
WASHINGTON - Each year, it's estimated that more than 150,000 families experience homelessness and are forced to seek emergency shelter for themselves and their children[1]<file:///C:\Users\H14670\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\ZINQQ9HF\15-083.docx#_ftn1>.  Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the short-term results of a study designed to examine how homeless families in emergency shelter responded to various interventions designed to help them exit homelessness.  HUD's Family Options Study<http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/affhsg/family_options_study.html> found that 18 months after enrolling into the study and being randomly assigned to one of four interventions, the families offered a housing voucher experienced significantly better outcomes than those families randomly assigned to any of the three other options.
HUD discovered that families offered a Housing Choice Voucher were less likely to re-enter homelessness or experience housing instability, and experienced reduced school mobility for their children.  When compared to families who elected to remain in emergency shelter, families offered a voucher also experienced significant reductions in child separations from parents; adult psychological distress; domestic violence; and food insecurity.  HUD also found that the costs of the voucher were comparable to or substantially less than the other interventions over the course of the follow-up period.
"The results of this study demonstrate the wide-ranging benefits of supporting families experiencing homelessness with stable and enduring rental assistance-such as the assistance provided through our Housing Choice Voucher Program," said Kathy O'Regan, HUD's Assistant Secretary of Policy Development and Research.  "We will continue to study the efficacy of these interventions to see if the longer term outcomes mirror those we see in the short term."


Tim Aubry Ph.D, C.Psych.
Professeur / Professor
École de psychologie / School of Psychology
Chercheur / Senior Researcher
Centre de recherche sur les services éducatifs / Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services
Chaire de recherche facultaire en santé mentale communautaire et l'itinérance /
Faculty Research Chair in Community Mental Health and Homelessness
Faculté des sciences sociales / Faculty of Social Sciences
Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Vanier Hall, 5002J
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6N5
Tel.: 613-562-5800 x 4815
Fax: 613-562-5188
E-mail: taubry at uottawa.ca
Bio: http://www.socialsciences.uottawa.ca/psy/eng/profdetails.asp?id=137
Twitter: @TimAubry

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