Biography
Biography: Suzanne Moore
Abstract
Caracole is an ASO in Cincinnati, Ohio with permanent housing programs for homeless individuals and families, site based housing, homelessness prevention support, and prevention/education services. In 2013, the housing programs transformed from a housing ready to a housing first model in an effort to address client needs. A greater percentage of our clients are people who inject drugs, are newly released from prison, and/or are engaged in sex work. As a housing ready agency, our program was under-utilized and clients were struggling. Following our belief that housing is a right and housing is healthcare, Caracole identified the need for new programming, including HIV/HCV testing, Evidence Based interventions, and site based harm reduction services. Three years into this new model, we have powerful data to support that our clients are experiencing decreased viral loads, fewer arrests and overdoses, and increased housing stability. We can prove that housing = healthcare. The Caracole housing team includes case management, prevention and education services, specialized housing support, and mental health services. In addition, relationships with MAT providers, mental health and treatment agencies, shelters, outreach workers, and other housing programs provide a continuum of care. We are proud of our client’s successes and look forward to sharing not only our data, but continued barriers, implementation, outcomes, staff challenges, and client response.