Exploring the relationship between neighbourhood quality (NQ) and housing stability among formerly homeless individuals with mental illness in housing first

We developed, tested, and operationalized a comprehensive objective measurement tool, the Observer-rated Housing Quality Scale (OHQS), to assess housing unit, building, and neighbourhood characteristics in a large trial of Housing First (HF) in 5 Canadian cities. The OHQS provided an opportunity to explore the role of neighbourhood and its contribution to housing stability among formerly homeless individuals. A subset of 423 participants who …