Is supplying homeless individuals with permanent housing effective? A prospective three year study on the course of mental health problems

Objective Description of the three-year course of mental illness after supplying permanent housing to homeless individuals. Methods 109-male and 20 female homeless individuals were assessed at the assignment of permanent housing and at one and three year follow-up using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results A high percentage (86%) was able to maintain or even improve the index housing situation. Only minor changes were observed in mental illness severity and global functioning. Symptoms improved slightly over the three year period. High degrees of alcohol consumption and mental illness severity increased the risk of deterioration of the housing arrangement. Conclusions Supplying homeless individuals with permanent housing is an effective measure but insufficient for improving mental illness. Combined measures of social and medical interventions from one provider are suggested for effective support of homeless people.