Abstract
- rlotte, North Carolina opened in January 2012 and houses 85 former chronically homeless adults. Moore Place is a permanent supportive housing (PSH) facility and is the first such facility in the Charlotte area to operate as a housing first model. Housing first programs emphasize housing as a first step in service delivery; have low threshold admissions policies with minimal eligibility criteria; use a harm reduction approach to substance use; focus on eviction prevention; and have reduced service requirements that do not require service compliance or success in order for a tenant to qualify for or maintain housing. Moore Place provides non time-limited housing and comprehensive supportive services to individuals who have extensive histories of homelessness and at least one disabling condition (mental health and substance abuse disorders, chronic health disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental disabilities). As with other housing first PSH programs, Moore Place recognizes housing as the foundation necessary to effectively address tenant health and mental health disorders. This report summarizes the activities and findings of the Moore Place Permanent Supportive Housing Evaluation Project (Evaluation Project), a two-year study led by Dr. Lori Thomas, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) and supported by research team members at UNC Charlotte, the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro/North Carolina A&T University School of Social Work. Key findings are as follows: