Housing Models for Alcohol Programs Serving Homeless People

• NCJ Number: 123423
• Journal: Contemporary Drug Problems Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1989) Pages: 483-504
• Author(s): F D Wittman
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this paper was prepared for the National Conference on Homelessness, Alcohol, and Other Drugs, San Diego, February 2-4, 1989.

Annotation

This article describes criteria for and exemplary programs that illustrate housing models for alcohol programs serving homeless people.

Abstract

Studies document the high percentage of persons in alcohol treatment who are homeless. Alcohol programs should be involved in producing and managing housing for homeless people with alcohol problems because expertise in alcohol treatment is essential to the maintenance of residential environments for low-income and homeless people trying to recover from alcohol and drug problems. Also, alcohol programs can help increase housing stock by leveraging development capital from the relatively secure income stream of recovering residents living in well-managed alcohol-free settings. The development of alcohol-free housing can help free expensive beds in the alcohol service system. Four design requirements must be met in the establishment of any housing project: the facility's space-use program and related design requirements must be satisfied; the housing must be economically accessible; occupancy must be stable and predictable; and site control must be obtained. This article describes 7 exemplary housing programs for alcohol program clients throughout the United States. 5 notes, 15 references.