Outcomes of Care
Homeless Assistance Programs

MHS systematically collects outcome data to help clients define and achieve important goals, and to improve the quality and efficiency of our care and services. Outcomes for programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must include helping clients to achieve:

(1) permanent or transitional housing;
(2) increased income and/or skills, and
(3) greater self-determination.

Permanent or transitional housing has been achieved when a client moves into a safe and suitable housing unit. Permanent housing is defined by HUD (2003) as an owned home, a rental home or apartment (with or without a rent subsidy), public housing, Section 8 housing, or residence with family or friends that is intended to be permanent. Transitional housing is housing not designed to serve as a permanent residence, or a temporary residence with family or friends that is intended to lead to permanent housing. Many non-profit organizations offer transitional housing programs in which clients learn important skills that they can use to obtain and maintain permanent housing. The MHS Young Adult Program and Safe Haven II are HUD transitional housing programs.

Increased income most often means successfully applying for and obtaining disability income, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), or healthcare insurance (Medicaid, Medicare). Most MHS clients who participate in homeless assistance programs have a severe mental disability that precludes regular employment in the competitive marketplace. We strongly support client efforts to learn vocational skills and to work.

A meaningful measure of self-determination for individuals with mental or other disabilities is the client's achievement of the independent management of his or her mental health recovery, through a treatment plan with measurable objectives.

Individual outcome information is discussed with clients, so that they can participate in their recovery and help staff members to identify areas for which more intensive, or alternative services may be needed. Summary outcome information is used by program staff members and by the MHS Quality Improvement Committee to design, monitor, and improve the appropriateness, effectiveness, and efficiency of services. Summary outcome data are submitted each trimester to the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services (OHS). OHS compiles data from the more than 30 programs it funds, and reports these data to the Cuyahoga County Board of Commissioners. At the end of each program year, MHS also reports outcome data to HUD. Outcome data for the past five fiscal years are presented in the table below.

An average of 342 homeless, disabled adults achieved housing each year -- nearly one successful housing outcome each day of the year, for five years. The availability of affordable housing plays an important role in these outcomes, as seen by the 43% increase in clients who achieved housing in the 2005 fiscal year. This increase was due largely to the 61 permanent housing units that became available in October 2004, and April 2005, upon the opening of two permanent housing programs with on-site supportive services.

Reference
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2003). Annual Progress Report for Supportive Housing Programs. [Form HUD-40118 (08/2003)]. Washington, DC: Author. (p. 10, Item 14-Destination).

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Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. (MHS)
1744 Payne Avenue; Cleveland, Ohio 44114 U.S.A.
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It was most recently updated on 26 October 2007.
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