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Summary

Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support provided high-intensity services to adults experiencing homelessness who had alcohol use disorders to increase positive outcomes relating to substance use, residential stability, and employment. This evaluation directly compared Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support to a separate program of Housing Without Peer Support to better understand which program might be more effective. Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support featured high-intensity services, such as group and individual therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, case management, and housing with peer support. 

Throughout the program, program group participants lived in Project H&ART residences. In the first two-month phase, participants attended group and individual therapy (one to two sessions per week), art therapy, psychodrama, group education classes, and weekly recreational events. Program participants also attended AA or NA meetings daily, which was required. In the second two-month phase, program group participants primarily received case management, which encouraged them to search for employment and to develop soft skills. During this phase, individual counseling continued, and participants met with case managers as often as needed.

Eligible participants included adults experiencing homelessness who had alcohol use disorders; who lived in or near Albuquerque, NM, for three months or more; and who did not have serious disabilities or dependent children. The program lasted four months. 

Comparing Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support to Housing Without Peer Support showed the effect of being referred to a set of services that were unique to Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support or how much better Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support met participants’ needs. Both programs included low-intensity program services, such as community-based housing (apartment or motel) and random alcohol and drug testing. However, supervised services, including housing with peer support, intensive counseling, AA and NA meetings, and case management, were unique to Case Management, Substance Use Counseling, Plus Housing with Peer Support. This evaluation also examined Referrals to Treatment for Substance Use and Transportation Assistance.

Populations and employment barriers: Homelessness, Substance use disorder

Effectiveness ratings

  • Well- supported
  • Supported
  • Mixed support
  • Not supported
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Cannot assess support

Studies of this program

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
Low Low 1

Implementation details

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