An evaluation of the Minnesota Supportive Housing and Managed Care Pilot, conducted by the National Center on Family Homelessness for Hearth Connection, found that supportive housing significantly improved residential stability and decreased mental health symptoms and alcohol and drug use. The Pilot engaged people who had the most complex needs and the longest histories of homelessness, and who had not been helped by other programs. The evaluators concluded the Pilot had a small impact on thecost of mainstream public services, and there was a desirable shift fromexpensive inpatient mental health and chemical dependency services, detox, and prison to more routine and preventative health care services. For many Pilot participants, improved health care services had dramatic –and in some cases lifesaving – results, as serious unaddressed medical problems were finally treated.

Download "The Minnesota Supportive Housing and Managed Care Pilot Evaluation Summary"