Many people with mental health and substance use conditions lose access to housing because of poverty and disruption of personal relationships related to their disability, and between 20 and 33% of homeless people have serious mental illnesses.[i] In addition, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, approximately 67% of people experiencing chronic homelessness have a primary substance use disorder or other chronic health condition.[ii] Housing First is a proven approach in which people experiencing homelessness are offered permanent housing with few treatment preconditions, behavioral contingencies, or other barriers.[iii] Although it is sometimes difficult to deal with the behavioral issues presented by people who are under the influence of drugs and experiencing mental health crises, appropriate staffing and safeguards have proven adequate to protect other residents without making sobriety and treatment preconditions to providing shelter. The training and commitment required are the same as those required to eliminate the use of seclusion and restraints in mental health treatment facilities, as advocated in MHA Position Statement 24,[iv] and more relaxed eligibility standards have proven effective in getting and keeping people off of the streets. (author abstract)
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