Homes for Homeless Don’t Guarantee Food

Over half a million Americans experienced homelessness in 2018. Permanent supportive housing provides subsidized accommodations and support services such as caseworkers, recreational activities, childcare, life skills training, and support groups to people with a history of chronic homelessness. While supportive housing helps residents achieve life stability in many ways, are such services enough to help those who experienced difficulty obtaining enough food when they were homeless find food security in their new homes?

Elizabeth Bowen and colleagues recently assessed the effectiveness of permanent supportive housing in reducing food insecurity among formerly homeless residents. They interviewed 237 residents in two supportive housing programs in Los Angeles about their health and well-being, health care, nutrition, food intake, and socioeconomic status. Responses were divided into two categories: 1) high food security and 2) low or very low food security.

Although anyone can experience food insecurity, it is heavily influenced by income, employment, and disability, making formerly homeless individuals particularly vulnerable to an increased risk for depression, and other health problems associated with food insecurity.

Most of the residents had difficulty obtaining food. Two thirds (67%) of the residents in supportive housing reported very low or low food security. These results far surpassed the 22% food insecurity reported among low-income adults in the general population. Additionally, residents with poor self-rated mobility and experiences of emotional, physical, or sexual victimization had a greater likelihood of being food insecure.

The researchers also found that a $100 increase in residents’ monthly benefits was associated with an 8% decrease in the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity, meaning that raising the incomes of permanent supportive housing residents could improve their ability to buy food for their families.

Although anyone can experience food insecurity, it is heavily influenced by income, employment, and disability, making formerly homeless individuals particularly vulnerable to an increased risk for depression, and other health problems associated with food insecurity.

According to Bowen, permanent supportive housing residents face a number of health disparities that impact numerous health outcomes. “We were interested in understanding more about what role food access and food insecurity might play in risk of premature mortality,” she explained.

The researchers recommend implementing a meal delivery program for food-insecure permanent supportive housing residents, prioritizing residents with mobility impairments. They also recommend raising residents’ income, assistance applying for and managing public benefits, and offering job coaching to improve long-term employment and income prospects.

Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay