Peer to Community (P2C) Model: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

This study has been designed to conduct a pilot evaluation of a novel model of support aimed at promoting community integration (CI) following homelessness. This model is called the Peer to Community Model (P2C). The P2C model is an outreach peer support model aimed at facilitating CI for individuals living with concurrent disorders following homelessness. This approach uses relationship-building and engagement in meaningful activity facilitated by peer support specialists (PSS) in concert with occupational therapy (OT) and social work (SW) consultation. This model includes four distinct components: 1) peer support delivered in a community space dedicated to the program or community locations at a maximum ratio of 10:1; 2) OT and SW offering consultation to PSSs and service users; 3) a weekly support meeting for PSSs, OT and SW aimed at providing a venue for problem-solving through complex cases and providing mutual emotional support in the context of service delivery with a complex population; and 4) opportunities for social enterprise (developing ideas for income generation) within the community space. \*\*\*NOTE: This is a single model of support that includes the components identified above - these are not separate interventions, but various components of one intervention designed in previous research by the study team. In this clinical trial, the investigators will implement the P2C model for the first time. The study team will conduct a pilot study using an open randomized controlled trial, crossover design. A total of 20 participants will be assigned randomly to the intervention group, where they will receive P2C supports at baseline, and 20 participants will be assigned to a waitlist condition for six months, after which time, they will be offered the P2C intervention. Participants will be interviewed at baseline and every three months using mixed (qualitative and quantitative) interviews. Waitlisted participants will be interviewed during these same inter