Service providers’ perspectives on their role in supporting residents in supported housing

Many persons with substance use and mental health problems live in supported housing with available support from service providers, and relationships with service providers may be important in recovery processes. However, service providers may face dilemmas in supporting recovery among residents in supported housing. Thus, the aim of the study is to explore service providers’ perspectives on their role in supporting residents in supported housing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight service providers representing six supported housing sites. Data were analysed according to reflexive thematic analysis. Six interrelated themes were developed: promoting personal relationships; navigating risk and security; creating a home-like atmosphere; facilitating participation and engagement; providing individualized support; and assigning responsibilities and regulating access. The participants perceived themselves to have multiple roles in relation to the residents, providing comprehensive and multiple forms of social support at the individual and housing levels. Their perspectives on priorities and the scope of the role differed somewhat within the group of participants. However, in providing intangible support, sufficient staffing, resources, and flexibility seemed to be particularly important, while encountered dilemmas primarily related to issues of tension and security. The present study demonstrates the need for more knowledge about how institutional and organizational factors can support service providers in providing social support to residents.