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Primary Submission Category: Interventions/Programs
Implementation of Permanent Supportive Housing for People of Color
Authors: Marisa Westbrook, Kathleen Conte, Marisa Zapata,
Presenting Author: Marisa Westbrook*
Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is a proven intervention combining housing assistance with supportive services to help people experiencing homelessness and those with disabilities move towards housing stability and wellbeing. Culturally-specific (CS) organizations have been recognized as best positioned to address the needs of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) experiencing homelessness by providing PSH services to their specific cultural community; yet, few studies have explored the implementation and impact of CS PSH. The aim of this project was to examine how CS PSH is conceptualized, implemented, innovated on, and experienced through 53 interviews conducted with local government staff involved in PSH implementation, CS providers serving the Black or Hispanic/Latinx community, and Black and/or Hispanic/Latinx clients receiving CS PSH in the Portland Oregon Metro Area. In our findings, we summarize the relational strengths of CS PSH, the current challenges facing providers, and the opportunities for non-CS PSH providers to draw from these experiences providing services to BIPOC communities for furthering housing stability and wellbeing. Highlighting the recommendations from interview participants (governmental, community organizations, and from those with lived experience), we close by discussing how CS PSH providers are advancing equitable housing and health outcomes.