Laying the Groundwork for an Evaluation of New York/New York III Supportive Housing

New York/New York (NY/NY) III provides funding for 9,000 new supportive housing units, both congregate and scattered-site, in New York City. NY/NY III clients include individuals at risk for homelessness and with histories of homelessness, as well as those suffering from disabling substance abuse disorders, families with heads of households who have a mental illness or substance use disorder, the medically disabled, individuals with HIV/AIDS and young adults aging out of the foster care system. A multi-staged evaluation of the program has been planned and is being implemented by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in conjunction with several other city and state agencies. The main focus of the evaluation is to understand the effectiveness of the program in reducing chronic homelessness, decreasing the use and cost of publicly funded health-care and social services, and improving the health of participants. This presentation will describe our methodology and discuss the challenges that we face in the study implementation.

Bonnie Kerker, PhD is the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Epidemiology Services, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. The Bureau is a multidisciplinary unit with the goal of combining epidemiologic research and data analyses with policy and program development and recommendations. Her training is in epidemiology and health policy, and her main interests include the social determinants of health, the health of vulnerable populations, and the use of data to make policy decisions.

Amber Levanon Seligson, PhD is the director of the NY/NY III evaluation in the Bureau of Epidemiology Services, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She was formerly an assistant professor of political science at Indiana University. Her main interests include data matching and survey research methodologies, and the study of incarcerated and homeless populations.


PDF of Powerpoint Presentation: Laying the Groundwork for an Evaluation of Supportive Housing