“From Homelessness to Safety”: Short-Term Outcomes of Low-Threshold Shelter on Individuals Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Unsheltered Homelessness

Abstract

Background:

To address the urgent housing needs of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and substance use disorder (SUD) living in an encampment, Boston established six harm reduction low-threshold shelter (LTS) sites in January 2022.

Methods:

To understand the LTS guest experience of persons who had been living in the tent encampment, assess early outcomes of the LTS service model, and inform concurrent implementation of this new shelter model, the Boston Public Health Commission implemented a point-in-time survey of 50 individuals who moved from the encampment into LTS three to six months after the encampment closure. The in-person survey assessed participant experience, quality of life, and service access.

Results:

Seventy-two percent to 90.0% of survey participants reported improvements in sleep quality, food security, and connection with others since moving into LTS. Sixty-eight percent to 92.0% of participants indicated increased access to mental health and healthcare providers and housing navigation services. Over 80.0% of respondents reported increased confidence in overdose response since moving into LTS, and almost half reported being in some form of treatment for SUD. Importantly, 90.0% of participants agreed that they had hope for the future.

Conclusion:

Harm reduction transitional shelter spaces remove access barriers to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and SUD and promote safety, well-being, and access to critical support services and housing navigation.