Developing a comprehensive inventory to define harm reduction housing

Original research
par
Zaragoza, Sofia et al

Date de publication

2025

Géographie

USA

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This study sought to understand the specific characteristics and operations of harm reduction housing (HRH) in Boston to generate a comprehensive inventory tool for evaluating implementation of harm reduction strategies at transitional housing locations.

Constatations/points à retenir

HRH staff identified best practices, resources, and policies in HRH sites that were further contextualized with ethnographic field notes. Common to all were overdose prevention protocols, behavioral policies, security measures, and distribution of harm reduction supplies. The initial 44-item inventory of services, policies and site best practices was further refined with expert and participant feedback and application, then finalized to generate a 32-item inventory. 

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Data was collected between June and September 2023 and included semi-structured qualitative interviews with HRH staff (n = 19), ethnographic observations and photos at six HRH sites. Candidate inventory components were derived through triangulation of the data. Two expert medical staff unaffiliated with data collection reviewed a draft inventory measuring awareness and utility of HRH inventory components. We then pilot tested the inventory with three HRH residents across two sites for readability and reliability. Awareness, frequency of use, and perceived helpfulness of key inventory items were further tested in a survey to 106 residents.

Mots clés

Harm reduction
Housing
Illegal drugs
Injecting drugs
Overdose
Policy/Regulatory
SCS/OPS
Stigma
Transitions in care/treatment
Wrap-around services