Changes in Homelessness Among US Veterans After Implementation of the Ending Veteran Homelessness Initiative.

Importance: Homelessness is a persistent and growing problem. What role health systems should play and how that role is incorporated into larger strategic efforts are not well-defined. Objective: To compare homelessness among veterans with that in the general population during a 16-year study period before and after implementation of the Ending Veteran Homelessness Initiative, a program to rehouse veterans experiencing homelessness. Design, Setting, and Participants: This national retrospective cohort study using a mixed-methods approach examined annualized administrative (January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2022) and population data prior to (2007-2009) and during (2010-2022) the Ending Veteran Homelessness initiative. Participants included unhoused adults in the US between 2007 and 2022. Exposure: Enrollment in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Program Office components providing housing, case management, and wrap-around clinical and supportive services. Main Outcomes and Measures: Point-in-time (PIT) count data for unhoused veterans and nonveterans during the study period, number of Section 8 housing vouchers provided by Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Administration Supportive Housing, number of community grants awarded by Supportive Services for Veterans and Families, and total number of veterans housed each year. Semistructured interviews with VHA leadership were performed to gain insight into the strategy. Results: In 2022, 33 129 veterans were identified in the PIT count. They were predominantly male (88.7%), and 40.9% were unsheltered. During the active years of the Ending Veteran Homelessness initiative, veteran homelessness decreased 55.3% compared with 8.6% for the general population. The proportion of veterans in this cohort also declined from 11.6% to 5.3%. This change occurred during a shift to "housing first" as agency policy to create low-barrier housing availability. It was also coupled with substantial growth in housing vouchers, grants to community partner agencies, and growth in VHA clinical and social programming to provide homeless-tailored wrap-around services and support once participants were housed. Key respondent interviews consistently cited the shift to housing first, the engagement with community partners, and use of real-time data as critical. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of the federal Ending Veteran Homelessness initiative, after program implementation, there was a substantially greater decrease in homelessness among veterans than in the general population. These findings suggest an important role for health systems in addressing complex social determinants of health. While some conditions unique to the VHA facilitated the change in homelessness, lessons learned here are applicable to other health systems.

Frequent Episodic Utilizers of Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs Use: Background Characteristics and Health Services Use.

OBJECTIVE: To assess sociodemographic, diagnostic, and services use factors associated with veterans' repeated, episodic use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Homeless Programs. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study used stepwise multivariate logistic regression to assess the odds of veterans being frequent episodic utilizers of VHA Homeless Programs (ie, ≥4 services use episodes during the observation period). SETTING: The study used administrative data from veterans who accessed VHA services across the United States. PARTICIPANTS: The sample comprised 31 098 veterans who completed a VHA Homeless Program intake assessment in 2013 and accessed VHA Homeless Programs during 2013-2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Frequent episodic use of VHA Homeless Programs (ie, ≥4 services use episodes during the observation period). RESULTS: Only 2.4% of the study sample had 4 or more episodes of VHA Homeless Program use during the observation period; risk factors included experience of military sexual trauma, history of incarceration, diagnosis of psychosis and substance use disorder, and use of acute care. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing veterans' needs related to poverty, income, and postincarceration reintegration may reduce the frequent episodic use of VHA Homeless Programs. Interventions embedded in emergency departments and inpatient units may also be considered.

Derivation and Validation of a Predictive Algorithm for Long-Term Care Admission or Death.

OBJECTIVES: Older veterans prefer to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. Although targeted delivery of home- and community-based services for veterans might delay long-term care placement, often, access to these services is inconsistently organized or delayed. To aid in early recognition of veterans at high risk for long-term care placement or death, we developed and validated a predictive algorithm, "Choose Home." DESIGN: A retrospective observational cohort analysis was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Two cohorts of Veterans Health Administration (VHA; a large integrated health care system) users were assembled: Derivation (4.6 million) and Confirmation (4.7 million). The Derivation Cohort included Veterans Administration users from fiscal year 2013; the Confirmation Cohort included Veterans Administration users from fiscal year 2014. METHODS: A total of 148 predictor variables, including demographics, comorbidities, and utilizations were selected using logistic regression to predict placement in a long-term care facility for >90 days or death within 2 years. RESULTS: Veterans were predominantly male [92.8% (Derivation), 92.5% (Confirmation)] and older [61.7±15.5 (Derivation), 61.5±15.6 years (Confirmation)], with a high prevalence of comorbid conditions. Between the Derivation and Confirmation Cohorts, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were found to be 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.799, 0.802] and 0.80 (95% CI 0.800, 0.802), respectively, indicating good discrimination for determining at-risk veterans. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We created a predictive algorithm that identifies veterans at highest risk for long-term institutionalization or death. This algorithm provides clinicians with information that can proactively inform clinical decision making and care coordination. This study provides the groundwork for future investigations on how home- and community-based services can target older adults at highest risk to extend time in their communities.

Food Insecurity Among Veterans: Resources to Screen and Intervene.

A screener was created in the VA electronic health record clinical reminder system to facilitate an interdisciplinary approach to identifying and addressing food insecurity.

Dual Use and Hospital Admissions among Veterans Enrolled in the VA's Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between reliance on VA outpatient care and hospital admissions among Medicare-eligible Veterans enrolled in the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: Registry of H-PACT enrollees linked to VA and Medicare utilization data for 2013. STUDY DESIGN: After assigning Veterans to two groups according to whether they received >90 percent of outpatient care in VA (higher reliance) or <90 percent of outpatient care in VA (lower reliance), generalized linear models with inverse probability of treatment weights were used to estimate the association of reliance with Medicare and VA-financed hospital admissions. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Compared with higher reliance Veterans, lower reliance Veterans had an equivalent number of annual VA hospitalizations (0.63 vs. 0.50; p = .14) but substantially greater Medicare hospitalizations (0.85 vs. 0.08; p < .001). Among Veterans in the highest tertile of outpatient visits, we observed statistically similar rates of VA hospital use but over 10-fold greater rates of Medicare-financed hospitalizations (1.31 for lower reliance vs. 0.15 for high reliance; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among Veterans receiving integrated care in VA's H-PACT, dual use of Medicare and VA outpatient care is strongly associated with acute hospitalizations financed by Medicare. Linking VA and non-VA data may identify a subset of homeless Veterans with fragmented outpatient care who are at increased risk of poor outcomes.

Population-Tailored Care for Homeless Veterans and Acute Care Use, Cost, and Satisfaction: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although traditional patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) are effective for patients with complex needs, it is unclear whether homeless-tailored PCMHs work better for homeless veterans. We examined the impact of enrollment in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) homeless-tailored PCMH on health services use, cost, and satisfaction compared with enrollment in a traditional, nontailored PCMH. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, quasi-experimental, single-blinded study at 2 VHA medical centers to assess health services use, cost, and satisfaction during 12 months among 2 groups of homeless veterans: 1) veterans receiving VHA homeless-tailored primary care (Homeless-Patient Aligned Care Team [H-PACT]) and 2) veterans receiving traditional primary care services (PACT). A cohort of 266 homeless veterans enrolled from June 2012 through January 2014. RESULTS: Compared with PACT patients, H-PACT patients had more social work visits (4.6 vs 2.7 visits) and fewer emergency department (ED) visits for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (0 vs 0.2 visits); a significantly smaller percentage of veterans in H-PACT were hospitalized (23.1% vs 35.4%) or had mental health-related ED visits (34.1% vs 47.6%). We found significant differences in primary care provider-specific visits (H-PACT, 5.1 vs PACT, 3.6 visits), mental health care visits (H-PACT, 8.8 vs PACT, 13.4 visits), 30-day prescription drug fills (H-PACT, 40.5 vs PACT, 58.8 fills), and use of group therapy (H-PACT, 40.1% vs PACT, 53.7%). Annual costs per patient were significantly higher in the PACT group than the H-PACT group ($37,415 vs $28,036). In logistic regression model of acute care use, assignment to the H-PACT model was protective as was rating health "good" or better. CONCLUSION: Homeless veterans enrolled in the population-tailored primary care approach used less acute care and costs were lower. Tailored-care models have implications for care coordination in the US Department of Veterans Affairs VA and community health systems.

Addressing the Challenges of Palliative Care for Homeless Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Veterans who nearing the end of life (EOL) in unstable housing are not adequately served by current palliative care or homeless programs. METHODS: Multidisciplinary focus groups, interviews with community and Veterans Affairs (VA) leaders and with 29 homeless veterans were conducted in five cities. A forum of national palliative and homelessness care leaders (n=5) and representatives from each focus group (n=10), then convened. The forum used Nominal Group Process to suggest improvements in EOL care for veterans without homes. Modified Delphi Process was used to consolidate and prioritize recommendations during two subsequent tele-video conferences. Qualitative content analysis drew on meeting transcripts and field notes. RESULTS: The Forum developed 12 recommendations to address the following barriers: (1) Declining health often makes independent living or plans to abstain impossible, but housing programs usually require functional independence and sobriety. (2) Managing symptoms within the homelessness context is challenging. (3) Discontinuities within and between systems restrict care. (4) VA regulations challenge collaboration with community providers. (5) Veterans with unstable housing who are at EOL and those who care for them must compete nationally for prioritization of their care. CONCLUSION: Care of veterans at EOL without homes may be substantially improved through policy changes to facilitate access to appropriate housing and care; better dissemination of existing policy; cross-discipline and cross-system education; facilitated communication among VA, community, homeless and EOL providers; and pilot testing of VA group homes or palliative care facilities that employ harm reduction strategies.

Persistent Super-Utilization of Acute Care Services Among Subgroups of Veterans Experiencing Homelessness.

BACKGROUND: Acute health care utilization often occurs among persons experiencing homelessness. However, knowing which individuals will be persistent super-utilizers of acute care is less well understood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify those more likely to be persistent super-utilizers of acute care services. RESEARCH DESIGN: We conducted a latent class analysis of secondary data from the Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse, and Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System. The study sample included 16,912 veterans who experienced homelessness and met super-utilizer criteria in any quarter between July 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015. The latent class analysis included veterans' diagnoses and acute care utilization. RESULTS: Medical, mental health, and substance use morbidity rates were high. More than half of the sample utilized Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs concurrently with their super-utilization of acute care. There were 7 subgroups of super-utilizers, which varied considerably on the degree to which their super-utilization persisted over time. Approximately a third of the sample met super-utilizer criteria for ≥3 quarters; this group was older and disproportionately male, non-Hispanic white, and unmarried, with lower rates of post-9/11 service and higher rates of rural residence and service-connected disability. They were much more likely to be currently homeless with more medical, mental health, and substance use morbidity. CONCLUSION: Only a subset of homeless veterans were persistent super-utilizers, suggesting the need for more targeted interventions.

Patient-aligned Care Team Engagement to Connect Veterans Experiencing Homelessness With Appropriate Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Veterans experiencing homelessness frequently use emergency and urgent care (ED). OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a Patient-aligned Care Team (PACT) model tailored to the unique needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness (H-PACT) on frequency and type of ED visits in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities. RESEARCH DESIGN: During a 12-month period, ED visits for 3981 homeless Veterans enrolled in (1) H-PACT at 20 VHA medical centers (enrolled) were compared with those of (2) 24,363 homeless Veterans not enrolled in H-PACT at the same sites (nonenrolled), and (3) 23,542 homeless Veterans at 12 non-H-PACT sites (usual care) using a difference-in-differences approach. MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was ED and other health care utilization and the secondary outcome was emergent (not preventable/avoidable) ED visits. RESULTS: H-PACT enrollees were predominantly white males with a higher baseline Charlson comorbidity index. In comparing H-PACT enrollees with usual care, there was a significant decrease in ED usage among the highest ED utilizers (difference-in-differences, -4.43; P<0.001). The decrease in ED visits were significant though less intense for H-PACT enrollees versus nonenrolled (-0.29, P<0.001). H-PACT enrollees demonstrated a significant increase in the proportion of ED care visits that were not preventable/avoidable in the 6 months after enrollment, but had stable rates of primary care, mental health, social work, and substance abuse visits over the 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care treatment engagement can reduce ED visits and increase appropriate use of ED services in VHA for Veterans experiencing homelessness, especially in the highest ED utilizers.

No wrong door: Can clinical care facilitate veteran engagement in housing services?

It is well established that providing stable housing to homeless persons improves health outcomes. It is less clear whether engagement in clinical care facilitates housing outcomes. We present a post hoc analysis of a prospective, community-based randomized controlled trial of homeless veterans not actively receiving or assigned to a primary care. Study subjects were interviewed at baseline, 1 month and 6 months and survey results were supplemented/verified by review of all notes in their VA electronic medical record for 6 months postenrollment. A total of 142 subjects with complete data were included in this analysis: 82 (57.7%) were in a stable sheltering/housing arrangement (transitional housing, stably doubled-up, independent housing) at baseline and stayed stable; 36 (25.4%) started in an unstable sheltering arrangement (unsheltered, emergency sheltered, unstable doubled-up arrangement) and moved into stable sheltering/housing while 24 (17.0%) individuals either started in and stayed unstably sheltered or went from a stable to an unstable arrangement. Of 36 individuals who transitioned from unstable to stable sheltering/housing, 25 (69.4%) accessed primary care within 1 month compared with 37.5% of the persistently unstable sheltering group and 57.3% of the stably sheltered/housed group (p = .05). Of those with care within 1 month, their average time from unstable to stable housing was 84.8 days compared with 165.9 days for those who do not access care (p = .02). Of those receiving primary care within 1 month of enrollment, 88.9% were in stable sheltering at 6 months. These findings suggest an important role for clinical engagement in helping achieve housing stability for homeless veterans. (PsycINFO Database Record

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis B Virus Among Homeless and Nonhomeless United States Veterans.

BACKGROUND: Veterans are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Homeless veterans are at particularly high risk for HIV, HCV, and HBV due to a variety of overlapping risk factors, including high rates of mental health disorders and substance use disorders. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally is currently unknown. This study describes national testing rates and prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans. METHODS: Using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Warehouse Data from 2015, we evaluated HIV, HCV, and HBV laboratory testing and infection confirmation rates and diagnoses on the Problem List for nonhomeless veterans and for veterans utilizing homeless services in 2015. RESULTS: Among 242740 homeless veterans in VA care in 2015, HIV, HCV, and HBV testing occurred in 63.8% (n = 154812), 78.1% (n = 189508), and 52.8% (n = 128262), respectively. The HIV population prevalence was 1.52% (3684/242740) among homeless veterans, compared with 0.44% (23797/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. The HCV population prevalence among homeless veterans was 12.1% (29311/242740), compared with 2.7% (148079/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans, while the HBV population prevalence was 0.99% (2395/242740) for homeless veterans and 0.40% (21611/5424685) among nonhomeless veterans. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this work represents the most comprehensive tested prevalence and population prevalence estimates of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans nationally. The data demonstrate high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV among homeless veterans, and reinforce the need for integrated healthcare services along with homeless programming.

Homeless Veterans' Use of Peer Mentors and Effects on Costs and Utilization in VA Clinics.

OBJECTIVES: The study compared health care utilization and costs among homeless veterans randomly assigned to peer mentors or usual care and described contacts with peer mentors. METHODS: Homeless patients at four Department of Veterans Affairs clinics were randomly assigned to a peer mentor (N=195) or to usual care (N=180). Administrative data on utilization and costs over a six-month follow-up were combined with peer mentors' reports of patient contacts. RESULTS: Most patients (87%) in the peer mentor group had at least one peer contact. Patients in this group spent the largest proportions of time discussing housing and health issues with peer mentors and had more outpatient encounters than those in usual care, although differences were not significant. No other between-group differences were found in utilization or costs. CONCLUSIONS: Although significant impacts of peer mentors on health care patterns or costs were not detected, some patients had frequent contact with peer mentors.

Screening for Food Insecurity in Six Veterans Administration Clinics for the Homeless, June-December 2015.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed findings from a food-insecurity screening of a national sample of Veterans Administration clinics for homeless and formerly homeless veterans. METHODS: We reviewed results from initial screenings administered at 6 Veterans Administration primary care clinics for the homeless and responses from clinic staff members interviewed about the screening program. RESULTS: A total of 270 patients were screened. The average age was 53 years, and most were male (93.1%). Screening showed a high prevalence of food insecurity. Of the 270, 48.5% reported they experienced food insecurity in the previous 3 months, 55.0% reported averaging 2 meals a day, and 27.3% averaged 1 meal a day. Eighty-seven percent prepared their own meals, relying on food they bought (54.2%), help from friends and family (19.1%), and soup kitchens and food pantries (22%); 47.3% received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (food stamps). Additionally, of those who screened positive for food insecurity 19.8% had diabetes or prediabetes, and 43.5% reported hypoglycemia symptoms when without food. Clinic staff members responded positively to the screening program and described it as a good rapport builder with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating screening for food insecurity among patients in clinical settings was well received by both patients and health care providers. Addressing these positive findings of food insecurity requires a multidisciplinary health care approach.

Engagement in the Hepatitis C Care Cascade Among Homeless Veterans, 2015.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest provider of hepatitis C virus (HCV) care nationally and provides health care to >200 000 homeless veterans each year. We used the VHA's Corporate Data Warehouse and HCV Clinical Case Registry to evaluate engagement in the HCV care cascade among homeless and nonhomeless veterans in VHA care in 2015. We estimated that, among 242 740 homeless veterans in care and 5 424 712 nonhomeless veterans in care, 144 964 (13.4%) and 188 156 (3.5%), respectively, had chronic HCV infection. Compared with nonhomeless veterans, homeless veterans were more likely to be diagnosed with chronic HCV infection and linked to HCV care but less likely to have received antiviral therapy despite comparable sustained virologic response rates. Homelessness should not necessarily preclude HCV treatment eligibility with available all-oral antiviral regimens.

Which Homeless Veterans Benefit From a Peer Mentor and How?

OBJECTIVE: Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding peer support. Research is limited on Veterans' perspective on benefits from peer services. We describe homeless Veteran perceptions of value and examine characteristics associated with benefit. METHOD: From a sample of Veterans in a multisite randomized control trial, we studied addition of peers in VA Primary Care and homeless-oriented primary care clinics. We used qualitative methods to study the perceptions of peer services among a subsample of homeless Veterans. Quantitative methods were used to validate findings in both samples. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the subsample and 83% of the full sample benefited from a peer mentor. Participants who benefited had more peer visits and minutes of intervention (p<.05), were more likely to be minority, and were less likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION: The majority of Veteran participants in this study benefited from receiving peer mentor intervention. African American Veterans were more likely to benefit and Veterans with PTSD were less likely to benefit. Client endorsement of the peer's role influenced outcomes.

Migration by Veterans Who Received Homeless Services From the Department of Veterans Affairs.

We examined migration patterns among 113,400 homeless veterans, focusing on the prevalence and the basic geographic patterns of this migration. Data were for all veterans who initiated use of Veterans Affairs homeless services in 2011 or 2012; and we followed them using Veterans Affairs administrative records for up to 2 years following this initial contact. Results showed that 15.3% of the veterans migrated across regions while homeless. Those who were homeless for longer periods were more likely to migrate, and migration, were it to occur, was most likely earlier on in veterans' homelessness episodes. There were no clear geographic correlates that explained the dynamics of this migration as, overall, in-migration tended to roughly balance out-migration in a region. These findings suggest that concerns about the extent of migration and its impact on localities are exaggerated, but also sets forth an agenda for more in-depth study of these data to gain a deeper and more expansive understanding of this phenomenon.

Tailoring Care to Vulnerable Populations by Incorporating Social Determinants of Health: the Veterans Health Administration's "Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team" Program.

INTRODUCTION: Although the clinical consequences of homelessness are well described, less is known about the role for health care systems in improving clinical and social outcomes for the homeless. We described the national implementation of a "homeless medical home" initiative in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and correlated patient health outcomes with characteristics of high-performing sites. METHODS: We conducted an observational study of 33 VHA facilities with homeless medical homes and patient- aligned care teams that served more than 14,000 patients. We correlated site-specific health care performance data for the 3,543 homeless veterans enrolled in the program from October 2013 through March 2014, including those receiving ambulatory or acute health care services during the 6 months prior to enrollment in our study and 6 months post-enrollment with corresponding survey data on the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT) program implementation. We defined high performance as high rates of ambulatory care and reduced use of acute care services. RESULTS: More than 96% of VHA patients enrolled in these programs were concurrently receiving VHA homeless services. Of the 33 sites studied, 82% provided hygiene care (on-site showers, hygiene kits, and laundry), 76% provided transportation, and 55% had an on-site clothes pantry; 42% had a food pantry and provided on-site meals or other food assistance. Six-month patterns of acute-care use pre-enrollment and post-enrollment for 3,543 consecutively enrolled patients showed a 19.0% reduction in emergency department use and a 34.7% reduction in hospitalizations. Three features were significantly associated with high performance: 1) higher staffing ratios than other sites, 1) integration of social supports and social services into clinical care, and 3) outreach to and integration with community agencies. CONCLUSION: Integrating social determinants of health into clinical care can be effective for high-risk homeless veterans.

Needing Primary Care But Not Getting It: The Role of Trust, Stigma and Organizational Obstacles reported by Homeless Veterans.

We describe data from a multi-center community-based survey of homeless veterans who were not accessing available primary care to identify reasons for not getting this care as well as for not seeking health care when it was needed. Overall, 185 homeless veterans were interviewed: The average age was 48.7 years (SD 10.8), 94.6% were male, 43.2% were from a minority population. The majority identified a recent need for care and interest in having a primary care provider. Reasons for delaying care fell into three domains: 1) trust; 2) stigma; and 3) care processes. Identifying a place for care (OR 3.3; 95% CI: 1.4-7.7), having a medical condition (OR 5.5; 95% CI 1.9-15.4) and having depression (OR 3.4; 95% CI: 1.4-8.7) were associated with receiving care while not being involved in care decisions was associated with no care (OR 0.7; 95% CI 0.5-0.9). Our findings support the importance of considering health access within an expanded framework that includes perceived stigma, inflexible care systems and trust issues.

Tailoring Outreach Efforts to Increase Primary Care Use Among Homeless Veterans: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Homeless individuals often have significant unmet health care needs that are critical to helping them leave homelessness. However, engaging them in primary and mental health care services is often elusive and difficult to achieve. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to increase health-seeking behavior and receipt of health care among homeless Veterans. DESIGN: This was a multi-center, prospective, community-based, two-by-two randomized controlled trial of homeless Veterans. PARTICIPANTS: Homeless Veterans not receiving primary care participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: An outreach intervention that included a personal health assessment and brief intervention (PHA/BI), and/or a clinic orientation (CO) was implemented. MAIN MEASURE: We measured receipt of primary care within 4 weeks of study enrollment. KEY RESULTS: Overall, 185 homeless Veterans were enrolled: the average age was 48.6 years (SD 10.8), 94.6% were male, 43.0% were from a minority population, 12.0% were unsheltered, 25.5% were staying in a dusk-to-dawn emergency shelter, 26.1% were in transitional housing, while 27.7% were in an unstable, doubled-up arrangement. At one month, 77.3% of the PHA/BI plus CO group accessed primary care and by 6 months, 88.7% had been seen in primary care. This was followed by the CO-only group, 50.0% of whom accessed care in the first 4 weeks, the PHI/BI-only arm at 41.0% and the Usual Care arm at 30.6%. Chi-squared tests by group were significant (p < 0.001) at both 4 weeks and 6 months. There was no difference in attitudes about care at baseline and 6 months or in use patterns once enrolled in care. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that treatment-resistant/avoidant homeless Veterans can be effectively engaged in primary and other clinical care services through a relatively low intensity, targeted and tailored outreach effort.

Innovative Efforts to Address Homelessness Among Veterans.

Ending homelessness among veterans has been a goal of the Department of Veterans Affairs for some time, and it is now becoming a reality in many communities. Unprecedented strides have been made through the rapid implementation of evidence-based innovations, capacity building, and a comprehensive strategic focus on 4 goals: prevention, moving veterans into permanent housing, providing the population-tailored care and services needed to keep them housed, and providing the supports necessary to allow them to recover and be productive members of their communities.