Relationship-building, community-building, and security of the building: staff perspectives on tenant retention in permanent supportive housing

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this article is to explore how housing practitioners navigate the challenge of tenant retention within Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs and the practices they associate with program success. Methods: This article draws on semistructured interviews with 10 housing practitioners from 7 organizations operating 8 PSH programs in Edmonton, a city with roughly one million people in Alberta, Canada. Results: This article focuses on 3 specific challenges that have implications for the retention of residents: (1) interpersonal conflict, (2) property damage, and (3) guest management. It also focuses on 3 “promising practices” that practitioners have utilized to mitigate these challenges: (1) relationship-building, (2) community-building, and (3) security of the buildings. Conclusions: Tenant retention is integral to the realization of positive program outcomes in PSH. There are several factors affecting tenant retention. To address these challenges, the staff interviewed in this research found success in building programmatic elements that fostered positive interpersonal relationships, managed the behavior of guests on the property, and ensured the physical integrity of the buildings.