Description

This article presents findings of a program evaluation of the Bailey House Success Through Accessing Rental Assistance and Support (STARS) Program, a 20-unit scatter-site permanent supportive housing program for homeless or unstably housed HIV-positive young adults ages 18–24. A harm reduction and strength-based approach is utilized to connect HIV+ individuals with medical care and other services while ensuring housing stability. An intensive case management team provides support such as home visits, case monitoring, accompaniment to appointments, and referrals to health and social service resources within the community. This program evaluation used clinical data mining (CDM) to implement a Return-on-Investment (ROI) analysis of the STARS supportive housing program. The evaluation compared program costs to “services as usual” through the NYC shelter system. The STARS program served 27 individuals, achieving 25 successful outcomes, during 3 years. The program’s total value (savings relative to shelter costs) yielded a 1.32 ROI. The results support practice and policy advocacy initiatives promoting supportive housing and housing first initiatives as a viable method to reduce homelessness and as a structural intervention to improve health outcomes for young people with HIV.