University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Social Work, 2014
This report offers an analysis of a supportive housing residence for formerly homeless individuals in Charlotte, North Carolina. It finds that, within one year of moving into supportive housing, the 85 tenants of Moore Place had increased incomes, greater social support, fewer arrests and decreased medical expenses. The findings on medical expenses are of particular note: Tenants billed nearly $1.8 million less in medical expenses during their first year in housing as compared to the previous year. This represents a 70% reduction in hospital and emergency room use. The authors found that tenants had a housing retention rate of 84%, visited the emergency room 447 fewer times and were hospitalized 372 fewer times once housed. On average, hospital bills per tenant dropped from $41,542 in the year before housing to $12,472 in housing.
This report was prepared for the Urban Ministry Center by faculty from the University of North Carolina’s Department of Social Work.
Download Moore Place Permanent Supportive Housing Evaluation Study
Research category: Cost Savings