2025
Federal Priorities to Address Homelessness as a Community Health Problem
Tsai J. Federal Priorities to Address Homelessness as a Community Health Problem. Family & Community Health 2025, 48: 57-69. DOI: 10.1097/fch.0000000000000419.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHousing instabilityCommunity health problemsGender minority individualsFederal agenciesFederal prioritiesInter-agency collaborationUS federal agenciesHousing assistanceNative American communitiesMinority individualsHomelessnessInter-agencyAmerican communityHealth problemsGovernment supportUnsheltered individualsHousingAgenciesUnited StatesNational recognitionCommunityLearning agendaCOVID-19 pandemicAgendaGovernment
2024
Cost-Effectiveness of Temporary Financial Assistance for Veterans Experiencing Housing Instability
Nelson R, Chapman A, Byrne T, Chaiyakunapruk N, Suo Y, Effiong A, Pettey W, Gelberg L, Kertesz S, Tsai J, Montgomery A. Cost-Effectiveness of Temporary Financial Assistance for Veterans Experiencing Housing Instability. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e2443396. PMID: 39499512, PMCID: PMC11539017, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.43396.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSupportive Services for Veteran FamiliesTemporary financial assistanceHousing insecurityHousing-related expensesIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioQuality-adjusted life yearsMonte Carlo simulationsProbabilistic sensitivity analysesFinancial assistanceHomelessness prevention servicesHousing outcomesHomelessness preventionLoss of housingCarlo simulationsPrevent homelessnessTime horizonCombination of inputsHousing instabilityHousing interventionsEconomic evaluationVulnerable VeteransHousingHomelessnessVeteran familiesVeterans AffairsWhy some homeless individuals are unsheltered: A narrative review of self-reported reasons
Tsai J, Haley G, Kinney R. Why some homeless individuals are unsheltered: A narrative review of self-reported reasons. Social Science & Medicine 2024, 358: 117179. PMID: 39168065, DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117179.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHomeless individualsHomeless sheltersSubstance useUnsheltered homelessnessShelter rulesHousing programsLack of safetyLack of accessInterviewer-administered surveyQualitative dataSelf-reported reasonsFocus groupsInadequate careShelterWestern countriesStaff trainingPublic health issueEligibility criteriaThematic categoriesUnsanitary conditionsHealth issuesNarrative reviewQuantitative dataHomelessnessPeer-reviewed studiesSocioeconomic Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Military Veterans: Examining the Interaction Between Homelessness and Financial Debt
DuBois C, Falls A, Serrano B, Wagner H, Tsai J, Elbogen E. Socioeconomic Correlates of Suicidal Ideation in Military Veterans: Examining the Interaction Between Homelessness and Financial Debt. Community Mental Health Journal 2024, 60: 1617-1626. PMID: 39110293, DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01316-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHistory of homelessnessPosttraumatic stress disorderSuicidal ideationHigher debtHistory of criminal arrestCorrelates of suicidal ideationSample of veteransNational sample of veteransFinancial debtOdds of suicidal ideationNationally-representative studyCriminal arrestsHomelessnessStress disorderSocioeconomic correlatesMilitary veteransGreater lonelinessIdeationU.S. veteransNational sampleSuicide preventionVeteransDebtDecision-makingCurrent debtTransportation As A Determinant Of Health: Evaluating The Veterans Affairs Rideshare Program For Homeless Patients
Tsai J, Szymkowiak D, Beydoun H, Dasilva L. Transportation As A Determinant Of Health: Evaluating The Veterans Affairs Rideshare Program For Homeless Patients. Health Affairs 2024, 43: 1090-1099. PMID: 39102601, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01332.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHomeless service usersService usersService useVeterans AffairsAssociated with greater useHomeless patientsNational pilotMedical appointmentsAdministrative dataDepartment of Veterans AffairsVA administrative dataVA service useAttend medical appointmentsRidesharing programUrgent care visitsGreater useHealth systemInpatient servicesNationwide health systemCare visitsHomelessnessVulnerable patientsPatient transportIndex dateServicesScreening rates for hepatitis B and C among low‐income US veterans: Data from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences Study
Beydoun H, Tsai J. Screening rates for hepatitis B and C among low‐income US veterans: Data from the National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences Study. Journal Of Viral Hepatitis 2024, 31: 601-613. PMID: 38984865, DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13981.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVeterans Health AdministrationEver-screeningVeteran homelessnessScreening ratesVeterans Health Administration electronic health recordScreening test useHousing instabilityPoverty experienceLimited healthcare accessLow-income veteransElectronic health recordsCross-sectional dataHousehold incomeHistory of alcohol useEmployment typeHealthcare accessScreening behaviorHealth recordsHomelessnessLifetime screeningNon-HispanicDrug useHigh-priority areasAlcohol useHealth AdministrationDisproportionate Increases in Numbers and Rates of Homelessness Among Women in the United States, 2018-2022.
Tsai J, Lampros A. Disproportionate Increases in Numbers and Rates of Homelessness Among Women in the United States, 2018-2022. Public Health Reports 2024, 333549241255805. PMID: 38899732, PMCID: PMC11569733, DOI: 10.1177/00333549241255805.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRates of homelessnessHousing and Urban DevelopmentUnsheltered homelessnessUS Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentDepartment of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHomelessnessUrban developmentBirth rateVeterans AffairsDepartment of Veterans AffairsUS DepartmentPopulation groupsPrevention effortsUS Department of Veterans AffairsUnited StatesPopulation dataProportion of femalesVeteran populationYears of population dataGeneral populationAffairsWomenVeteransPopulationPeopleGeographic and psychosocial correlates of homelessness or unstable housing among US veterans in the Midwest
Umucu E, Lee B, Chang C, Szymkowiak D, Tsai J. Geographic and psychosocial correlates of homelessness or unstable housing among US veterans in the Midwest. American Journal Of Community Psychology 2024, 74: 142-151. PMID: 38747475, DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12751.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVeterans Integrated Service NetworkUnstable housingMental health conditionsStably housed veteransAssociated with increased riskMultivariate logistic regression analysisLogistic regression analysisIntegrated services networksPsychosocial correlatesUS veteransHealth conditionsCorrelates of homelessnessRural locationsVeteransLocation scoreStudy cohortIncarceration experienceMidwestern stateRegression analysisRisky behaviorsHomelessnessService networkGeographical characteristicsCareHousingShallow Subsidies for Veterans Facing Housing Barriers in the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
Nelson R, Byrne T, Suo Y, Effiong A, Pettey W, Zickmund S, Galyean P, Kimball E, Gelberg L, Kertesz S, Tsai J, Montgomery A. Shallow Subsidies for Veterans Facing Housing Barriers in the VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Journal Of Health Care For The Poor And Underserved 2024, 35: 532-544. PMID: 38828580, DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2024.a928631.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPermanent supportive housingMultivariable two-part regression modelTwo-part regression modelHousing instabilityHousing barriersSupportive housingFamilies ProgramQualitative interviewsSocioeconomic stabilityAllocation decisionsCharacteristics of veteransSubsidiesHigher incomeDepartment of Veterans AffairsIncomeHousingInterviewsVeterans AffairsMethod findingsHomelessnessRetrospective cohort studyOutpatient costsVeteransOlder ageCohort studyThe Use of Mobile Medical Units for Populations Experiencing Homelessness in the United States: A Scoping Review
Christian N, Havlik J, Tsai J. The Use of Mobile Medical Units for Populations Experiencing Homelessness in the United States: A Scoping Review. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2024, 39: 1474-1487. PMID: 38528232, PMCID: PMC11169337, DOI: 10.1007/s11606-024-08731-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMobile medical unitsPoint-in-time countsUnited StatesScoping reviewProvision of primary careRandomized controlled trialsEffective treatment of substance use disordersUnsheltered homelessnessHomeless populationCommunity-based healthcare servicesHomelessnessMedical unitsProvision of healthcareProvision of medical servicesCare delivery modelsNature of research activityControlled trialsPatient-centered measuresSevere mental illnessHealth outcomesPrimary careHealthcare utilizationHealthcare servicesMental illnessSubstance use disordersGrowing Concern About Unsheltered Homelessness Among Veterans: Clinical Characteristics and Engagement in Health Care Services
Kinney R, Szymkowiak D, Tsai J. Growing Concern About Unsheltered Homelessness Among Veterans: Clinical Characteristics and Engagement in Health Care Services. Public Health Reports 2024, 139: 582-590. PMID: 38323557, PMCID: PMC11344986, DOI: 10.1177/00333549241227155.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUnsheltered homelessnessHomeless ProgramHomeless veteransVA homeless programsMilitary sexual traumaVeterans AffairsPublic health approachVeteran homelessnessCollege educationHousing instabilityVA service-connected disabilityHomeless populationHealth care servicesSheltered statusUS Department of Veterans AffairsHomelessnessDepartment of Veterans AffairsHierarchical multivariable logistic regressionService-connected disabilityCorporate Data WarehouseSexual traumaCare servicesRepeated-measures analysisMultivariate logistic regressionHealth approachPredicting Homelessness Among Transitioning U.S. Army Soldiers
Tsai J, Szymkowiak D, Hooshyar D, Gildea S, Hwang I, Kennedy C, King A, Koh K, Luedtke A, Marx B, Montgomery A, O'Brien R, Petukhova M, Sampson N, Stein M, Ursano R, Kessler R. Predicting Homelessness Among Transitioning U.S. Army Soldiers. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2024, 66: 999-1007. PMID: 38311192, PMCID: PMC11359661, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.01.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPreventive interventionsSTARRS-LSStage 2 modelTwelve-month prevalenceHigh riskSelf-reported survey dataU.S. Army soldiersRisk of homelessnessBaseline surveyTargeted outreachHigh-risk subsampleStage 1 modelOnline panel surveyInitial outreachHigh risk of homelessnessPanel SurveyAssess riskArmy soldiersStage 1Army STARRSHomelessnessStage 2Survey dataInterventionOutreachTemporary Financial Assistance Reduced The Probability Of Unstable Housing Among Veterans For More Than 1 Year
Chapman A, Scharfstein D, Byrne T, Montgomery A, Suo Y, Effiong A, Velasquez T, Pettey W, Dalrymple R, Tsai J, Nelson R. Temporary Financial Assistance Reduced The Probability Of Unstable Housing Among Veterans For More Than 1 Year. Health Affairs 2024, 43: 250-259. PMID: 38315929, DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00730.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSupportive Services for Veteran FamiliesTemporary financial assistanceFinancial assistanceUnstable housingHousing outcomesHousing instabilityReduce homelessnessHousing stabilityVeterans AffairsVeteran familiesElectronic health record systemsDepartment of Veterans AffairsHealth record systemsHousingTemporaryAssistanceVeteransLanguage processingClinical notesHomelessnessLong-term effectsRecording systemAffairsProbabilityOutcomesThe mediating role of social support in associations between childhood adversity, military sexual trauma, and homelessness in a nationally representative sample of US veterans
Bulanchuk N, Edwards E, Pietrzak R, Tsai J. The mediating role of social support in associations between childhood adversity, military sexual trauma, and homelessness in a nationally representative sample of US veterans. Journal Of Community Psychology 2024, 52: 399-414. PMID: 38289875, DOI: 10.1002/jcop.23105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaAdverse childhood experiencesLifetime homelessnessSocial supportSexual traumaNationally representative sampleHistory of military sexual traumaCorrelates of homelessnessAvailability of social supportPerceived social supportInterpersonal social supportLow social supportRepresentative sampleChildhood adversityHomelessnessFemale veteransChildhood experiencesCommunity integrationMale counterpartsPath analysisVeteransUS veteransTrauma ratesNationalCorrelation analysisWhat We Know About Homeless Veterans With Other-than-honorable and Punitive Discharges: Data From the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program
Jutkowitz E, McCreedy E, Halladay C, Tsai J. What We Know About Homeless Veterans With Other-than-honorable and Punitive Discharges: Data From the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program. Military Medicine 2024, 189: e1443-e1449. PMID: 38252587, DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad485.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPunitive dischargesProgram exitHomeless veteransPer diemCase management servicesSubstance abuse treatmentSubstance use treatmentHousing statusCommunity agenciesPunitivenessHomelessnessAbuse treatmentEmployment statusCommunity providersPolicy considerationsMilitary dischargeMental health careNegative healthVA servicesDischarged veteransVA programsOutcome measuresVA Corporate Data WarehouseMental healthDischarge status
2023
Changes in criminal justice involvement among renters in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties
Witte L, Tsai J, Cuccaro P, Link A, Cox V, Schick V. Changes in criminal justice involvement among renters in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties. Housing Studies 2023, ahead-of-print: 1-22. DOI: 10.1080/02673037.2023.2266383.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCriminal justice involvementLow-Income Housing Tax CreditJustice involvementExperience of homelessnessExtensive criminal historiesLIHTC housingHousing residentsFederal governmentCriminal historyLow-income individualsHousingTax creditsUnited StatesConvictionMain waysResidentsNegative binomial regressionGovernmentHomelessnessRentersCommunityBinomial regressionExperienceInvolvementCreditExamining the Potential Impact of Restricting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Housing for Individuals With Certain Criminal Convictions in Texas
Witte L, Tsai J, Cuccaro P, Link A, Cox V, Schick V. Examining the Potential Impact of Restricting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Housing for Individuals With Certain Criminal Convictions in Texas. Housing Policy Debate 2023, 34: 353-371. DOI: 10.1080/10511482.2023.2246943.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCriminal historySupportive housing providersExperience of homelessnessCriminal justice involvementHousing providersHistory of homelessnessU.S. policyHousing residentsEthnic minoritiesJustice involvementLow-income individualsCriminal convictionsDrug convictionsHousingHomeless individualsHomelessnessState of TexasResidentsRecovery of individualsConvictionPotential impactPolicyIncarcerationRecidivismRulesThe use of hotels/motels to address homelessness among veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from the supportive services for veteran families program
Montgomery A, Zickmund S, Byrne T, Galyean P, Suo Y, Pettey W, Velasquez T, Gelberg L, Kertesz S, Tsai J, Nelson R. The use of hotels/motels to address homelessness among veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from the supportive services for veteran families program. Journal Of Social Distress And The Homeless 2023, 33: 305-315. DOI: 10.1080/10530789.2023.2187522.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHotels/motelsQualitative interviewsCOVID-19 pandemicSupportive servicesHousing instabilityProgrammatic responsesVeteran householdsFinancial assistanceHomelessnessFamilies ProgramService leadershipVulnerable groupsOngoing public health concernProgram providersPoor health outcomesMethods studyVulnerable populationsCOVID-19InterviewsMotelsQuantitative dataAssistanceServicesPandemicPolicy
2022
“Millionaire Murrays”: A Qualitative Study of Formerly Homeless Veterans Who Became Economically Successful
Tsai J, Radwan CK. “Millionaire Murrays”: A Qualitative Study of Formerly Homeless Veterans Who Became Economically Successful. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 2022, 45: 362-368. PMID: 36201810, DOI: 10.1037/prj0000538.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQualitative studyCriminal justice systemGreat economic successJustice systemSocial servicesHousing stabilityEconomic successHomeless veteransHomeless individualsHuman flourishingOverarching themesQualitative techniquesLife experiencesHomelessnessSemistructured interviewsRecruitment effortsRock bottomEmpirical studyInterviewsEventual successExternal factorsHousingServicesHealth careSuccessTerms That Refer to Homeless Populations: National Surveys of Several Stakeholder Groups
Tsai J, Kelton K, Gluff J, Elbogen E. Terms That Refer to Homeless Populations: National Surveys of Several Stakeholder Groups. Psychiatric Services 2022, 74: 415-418. PMID: 35895838, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHomeless populationPolicy makersHomelessness service providersExperience of homelessnessRisk of homelessnessHomeless personsHistory of homelessnessNational surveyLived experienceHomelessnessSocial backgroundStakeholder groupsMost stakeholdersAcceptable termsService providersU.S. researchersBest practicesMakersLow-income adultsExperienceSurveyStakeholdersResearchersProvidersU.S. adults