Experiences of transitioning from homelessness: a systematic review and meta-aggregation of qualitative studies conducted in middle to high income countries

“I can’t remember the last time I was comfortable about being home”: lived experience perspectives on thriving following homelessness

“…Community integration has been a challenging outcome to target following homelessness (C. A. Marshall et al, 2020 ) likely due to the stigma of mental illness, substance use disorder and/or homelessness faced by this population (Dej, 2020 ; Forchuk & Csiernik, 2021 ). Further, participants in this study and in previous research have identified that meaningful activity engagement is a frequent challenge following homelessness (C. A. Marshall et al, 2018 , 2020 ; Marshall, Gewurtz, et al, 2022 ), and a pathway to community integration (C. A. Marshall et al, 2022 , 2022 ). Service providers may consider finding ways of intentionally targeting these constructs in the development of goals with persons who experience homelessness and integrate outcome measurement strategies that can evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches.…”

“…HF is the most commonly researched of these interventions, and a range of studies have demonstrated its effectiveness for improving indices of tenancy sustainment (Goering et al, 2014 ) and the cost effectiveness of HF compared with other approaches (Latimer et al, 2019 ). Across a range of studies, however, researchers have indicated that HF inconsistently demonstrates effectiveness for improving indices of psychosocial well-being including community and social integration, substance use, meaningful activity engagement, and symptoms of mental illness (Goering et al, 2014 ; C. A. Marshall et al, 2022 , 2020 ; Quilgars & Pleace, 2016 ; Woodhall-Melnik & Dunn, 2015 ). This has led researchers to conclude that while HF needs to continue to be implemented, there is a need to build on the success of this approach by developing novel interventions that can be delivered in concert with HF to more effectively target psychosocial outcomes (C. A. Marshall et al, 2020 , 2022 ).…”

“…Providing immediate and permanent housing has the potential to limit exposure to many of the conditions that contribute to poorer health in this population; however, recent research indicates that while housing is absolutely necessary, many individuals continue to experience ongoing challenges with attaining the conditions that enable a basic degree of well-being following homelessness (C.A. Marshall et al, 2022 ; 2020 ; 2022 ). Such challenges include ongoing poverty, food insecurity (Easton et al, 2022 ), poor community integration and loneliness (Dej, 2020; Marshall, et al, 2020 ; Quilgars & Pleace, 2016 ).…”

“…Such challenges include ongoing poverty, food insecurity (Easton et al, 2022 ), poor community integration and loneliness (Dej, 2020; Marshall, et al, 2020 ; Quilgars & Pleace, 2016 ). In one systematic review that included 57 studies conducted in high-income countries, the conditions in which individuals were situated following homelessness often led to participants worrying about their ability to sustain their tenancies (C. A.Marshall et al, 2022 ). While solutions for ending homelessness are known, and have demonstrated effectiveness, there is a need to build on these solutions to prevent ongoing homelessness and support well-being after homelessness ends.…”