Bridge Healing: A Pilot Project of a New Model to Prevent Repeat “Social Admit” Visits to the Emergency Department and Help Break the Cycle of Homelessness in Canada

Matthew Robrigado (), Igor Zorić, David A. Sleet and Louis Hugo Francescutti ()
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Matthew Robrigado: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
Igor Zorić: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
David A. Sleet: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Louis Hugo Francescutti: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 19, 1-9

Abstract: Homelessness continues to be a pervasive public health problem throughout Canada. Hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) and inpatient wards have become a source of temporary care and shelter for homeless patients. Upon leaving the hospital, homeless patients are not more equipped than before to find permanent housing. The Bridge Healing program in Edmonton, Alberta, has emerged as a novel approach to addressing homelessness by providing transitional housing for those relying on repeated visits to the ED. This paper describes the three essential components to the Bridge Healing model: partnership between the ED and a Housing First community organization; facility design based on The Eden Alternative™ principles; and grassroots community funding. This paper, in conjunction with the current pilot project of the Bridge Healing facilities, serves as a proof of concept for the model and can inform transitional housing approaches in other communities.

Keywords: homeless(ness); bridge healing; housing first; transitional housing; homeless patients; emergency department; The Eden alternative™ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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