Searching for Home: Mentally Ill Homeless People in America. Tenth in a Series ofEssays

摘要

This essay describes the current situation faced by homeless people with seriousmental illness and explores the origins of the problem of homelessness, recent efforts that are working, and what is needed to remedy a serious national problem. Integrated programs, which appear to be most successful, should (1) address mental health, substance abuse, and other problems through active outreach and services; (2) closely monitor the need for services; (3) integrate mental health and substance abuse programs; (4) involve a comprehensive set of services for developing living, interpersonal, vocational, and social skills; (5) ensure a continuum of stable safe housing options that are free of illegal drugs and alcohol; (6) understand the long-term nature of the problems; and (7) commit to the belief that improved quality of life is possible for an individual, regardless of the nature and severity of the problems. The solutions described include the continuum of care, The Bridger in New York City, Crist House in Washington, DC, and several HUD-sponsored programs, such as Shelter Plus Care, the Supportive Housing Program, and the Moderate Rehabilitation SRP program.