Identifying Graduation Rates and Practices in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.

Graduation from permanent supported housing program (PSH) is an important part of individuals' recovery and rehabilitation, yet little research has examined this process. We examined graduation rates, practices and policies in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Housing and Urban Development Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, the largest PSH program in the United States. We used HUD-VASH administrative data from Fiscal Years 2016-2020 to summarize graduation rates from the program. Using a template analysis approach to open-ended online surveys from 65 HUD-VASH program managers, we identified key themes related to graduation practices. Graduations accounted for 21% of all HUD-VASH exits across all years. Graduation practices and policies varied across HUD-VASH programs, and staff expressed interest in having additional data to support graduation decisions. There may be value in developing standards for graduation criteria that is shared with clients and providers in supported housing programs in order to titrate care appropriately and support client independence.

Housing instability and mental distress among US veterans.

Evidence has suggested increased risk for homelessness and suicide among US veterans, but little is known about the associations between housing instability and psychological distress (including suicidal ideation). We examined frequent mental distress (FMD) and suicidal ideation among a probability-based sample of 1767 Nebraska veterans who participated in the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey who had and had not experienced housing instability in the past 12 months. Veterans experiencing housing instability had increased odds of FMD and suicidal ideation.