Activity Performance Priorities for Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Insights from Management and Staff at a Transitional Housing Facility

Abstract

For people experiencing homelessness (PEH), the provision of affordable housing has been recognized as the most crucial intervention for improving housing stability and facilitating substance abuse treatment. However, evidence indicates that providing housing does not significantly improve substance abuse, mental health, or physical health outcomes. Optimal participation in essential daily activities has been shown to improve health outcomes and support independent living, but there is limited research that identifies activity performance priorities among PEH living in transitional housing. The present study investigates activity performance priorities using the focus group methodology. Management and staff from a transitional housing facility participated in a focus group discussion (90 min) and a follow-up (member checking) session (75 min), to deliberate on this topic. Emerging priorities for activity performance include activities of daily living [personal hygiene]; instrumental activities of daily living [house maintenance, meal preparation, and transportation]; health management [mental health, physical health, medical appointments]; social participation [building healthy relationships]; work [seeking and/or maintaining]; sleep; and leisure [recreational] activities. Community members and other stakeholders can support PEH in transitional housing by facilitating participation in these activities, and researchers should evaluate the effects of specific activity-focused interventions on health.

Keywords: boredom; community living; daily activity; homeless; independence; isolation; mental health; occupational therapy; physical health; transitional housing.

Figure 1

Discussion questions.