Supporting Efforts by Intellectually Disabled Adults to Exit Homelessness: Key Ingredients of a Cross-Sector Partnership.

Abstract

This column describes the development of a partnership between health care, housing, and intellectual disability services to support efforts by homeless adults with intellectual disabilities to exit homelessness. Applying a Housing First approach and philosophy, the partners launched a pilot intervention, which at its first phase engaged 26 homeless adults with intellectual disabilities in Toronto. This cross-sector service model was acceptable to service users, who reported positive experiences and good program engagement. Key enablers of success included the program s capacity to address complexity, stakeholders approach to choice and compromise, and fulsome collaboration and communication at every level.