RAND: California Veterans Self-Reliance Pilot Keeps Residents Housed, Cuts ER Visits 75%
A RAND Corporation evaluation released on October 1 found strong results for California's Veteran Support to Self-Reliance (VSSR) pilot, launched in 2023 by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) with the nonprofit Swords to Plowshares. The pilot embeds clinicians such as occupational therapists in supportive housing to help veterans with behavioral health needs live independently.
Across 13 housing sites statewide, the program enrolled 560 veterans — above its 425-person goal — and only 20 participants (3.6%) exited negatively over three years, far below the 20% to 40% typical of comparable supportive housing programs. Participants were not required to meet clinical or behavioral benchmarks to keep their housing.
Health and daily-life measures improved markedly: falls fell 59%, emergency department visits dropped 75%, missed appointments declined 54%, and unmet needs for companionship fell 87%. RAND recommended the model as a template for other California supportive housing programs, alongside a more systematic referral process and stronger clinical staffing.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于洛杉矶县艾尔蒙特市的退伍军人支持性住房社区（资料图，美国海军陆战队，公共领域）
