The Family Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative

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Note: This report is available in its entirety in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

Executive Summary

Permanent supportive housing for families (FPSH) is a relatively new undertaking throughout the country. FPSH grew from the recognition that some adults have both disabilities that render them unable to maintain stable housing on their own and also children they are trying to raise. Without substantial help, these parents have not been able to provide themselves or their children with a stable residence. FPSH addresses these difficulties by providing these distressed families with affordable housing and access to the same types of supportive services that have proven effective at helping disabled single homeless people achieve housing stability.

In March 2003, the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation, the Urban Institute, and Harder+Company launched an evaluation of the Family Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative (FPSHI). This evaluation was designed to assess the impact of FPSHI's innovative approach to meeting the long-term needs of formerly homeless families in permanent supportive housing. This report presents findings from interviews with 100 families that were conducted between November 2003 and April 2004, as well as descriptions of the seven FPSH programs from which the study sample was drawn.

Note: This report is available in its entirety in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

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