One-half of the shelters adult population received prior treatment for a mental illness or substance abuse problem between 1985 and 1993. 32 percent of all adults admitted to shelters were treated for substance abuse problems. A proportionately small group of people with a SMI become homeless. This suggests the need for an intervention to divert such persons from shelters, including a targeted crisis service, crises residential program, in-home support and stabilization services or transitional housing. Homeless people are significant consumers of health care services, particularly inpatient care for mental illness and substance abuse.
More research is needed to examine the impact of homelessness on services and costs.
Funding for Shelter Admissions study supported by Fannie Mae, Office of Housing Research. Funding for the integration of mental health data supported by funds from Ittleson Foundation and the U.S. Center for Mental Health Services. Integration of Mental Health data is in a forthcoming manuscript developed under contract for U.S. Center for Mental Health Services.