This technology is a set of educational and training modules designed to help the homeless acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain and maintain long-term housing.
The number of homeless people, as well as the cost of assisting them and providing shelters, are increasing in the United States. A study on homelessness in New York City indicated that placing people in supportive housing can help to reduce these costs. While there are programs designed to help individuals obtain housing, they do not address the everyday life skills, such as monetary management or communicating with landlords, that are necessary to maintain long-term housing.
This technology is a set of educational and training modules designed to help the homeless acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain and maintain long-term housing. These components are presented as narrated PowerPoint slideshows and are available on DVDs. An included facilitator script enables any housing agency staff member to be able to run these modules with minimal preparation or training, making it cost-effective and versatile. The training structure also incorporates breaks for hands-on activities to allow participants to practice the skills taught in each module with a variety of activities that require minimal resources. This technology has been field-tested with homeless adults with mental illness and substance abuse, with participants demonstrating increased progress towards housing goals and having higher quality of life ratings.
Sharon Gutman, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA
IR CU17355
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik