Enhancing Equity in Smoke-free Housing

The study aims are:

Aim 1): Identify adaptations for a smokefree housing implementation framework and identify opportunities to integrate these adaptations with ongoing behavioral health support, to meet the needs of residents living in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) (Phase 1).

Aim 2): The research team will pilot test the adapted implementation framework, including an implementation toolkit, to assess the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of the primary intervention provided to Property Managers (Phase 2).

Aim 3): Based on a synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence, the research team will further refine the smokefree implementation framework and toolkit, comprising modified versions of the "Implementation Guide", "Action Plan" and "Implementation Checklist", to support future needs of Permanent Supportive Housing communities (Phase 3).

The research team seeks to use the opportunity provided by smokefree housing implementation to minimize indoor smoking and encourage smoking cessation, and thus help move communities with a history of profound health disparities towards a more equitable, tobacco-free future. The impact of this project will be evident not only among smokers, but also non-smokers, children and the elderly who share residential communities with people supported by PSH programs.

If successful, the results of this work will be used to promote broader and more effective use of the smokefree PSH implementation framework in federally-assisted public and affordable housing communities nationally.

The study setting is 6 affordable housing communities that include Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in Massachusetts, Maryland and New York (USA).

Inclusion criteria

• Adult residents of the six affordable housing communities who smoke or do not smoke tobacco, who receive or do not receive Permanent Supportive Housing services, and can complete a survey in English or Spanish.
• Adult residents of the six affordable housing communities who smoke or do not smoke tobacco, who receive or do not receive Permanent Supportive Housing services, and can participate in a focus group discussion in English.
• Property Managers (or their designated appointees) of the six affordable housing communities where the research will be conducted and able to receive the intervention and participate in the qualitative interviews in English.
• Caseworkers who are dedicated health workers who provide behavioral health support (mental health and substance use support interventions) to residents at each of the six properties and who can receive the intervention and participate in the qualitative interviews in English.

Exclusion criteria

• Those unable to speak English or Spanish.