Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 16;18(22):12014. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182212014.
As a result of working inside homes, city housing inspectors witness hidden and serious threats to public health. However, systems to respond to the range of problems they encounter are lacking. In this study, we describe the impact and enabling environment for integrating a novel Social Service Referral Program within the Inspectional Services Department in Chelsea, MA. To evaluate the first eight months of the program, we used a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data from 15 referrals and qualitative interviews with six key informants (inspectors, a case manager, and city leadership). The most common services provided to residents referred by inspectors were for fuel, food, and rent assistance; healthcare; hoarding; and homelessness prevention. Half of referred residents were not receiving other social services. Inspectors reported increased work efficiency and reduced psychological burden because of the program. Interviewees described how quality of life improved not only for referred residents but also for the surrounding neighborhood. A simple referral process that made inspectors' jobs easier and a trusted, well-connected service provider funded to carry out the work facilitated the program's uptake and impact. Housing inspectors' encounters with residents present a unique opportunity to expand the public health impact of housing code enforcement.
由于在住宅内工作，城市住房检查员见证了对公众健康构成潜在严重威胁的隐蔽问题。然而，针对他们所遇到的各种问题的应对系统却缺乏。在这项研究中，我们描述了在马萨诸塞州切尔西的检查部门中整合一项新的社会服务转介计划的影响和有利环境。为了评估该计划的头八个月，我们采用了一种混合方法，结合了来自 15 个转介案例的定量数据和对六名关键信息者（检查员、一名个案经理和城市领导层）的定性访谈。向检查员转介的居民最常获得的服务包括燃料、食品和租金援助、医疗保健、囤积和防止无家可归。一半被转介的居民没有接受其他社会服务。检查员报告说，由于该计划，他们的工作效率提高了，心理负担减轻了。受访者描述了不仅被转介的居民，而且周围的邻里的生活质量都得到了改善。一个简单的转介程序使检查员的工作变得更容易，一个值得信赖、人脉广泛的服务提供商获得资金来开展工作，这促进了该计划的采用和影响。住房检查员与居民的接触为扩大住房法规执行对公众健康的影响提供了一个独特的机会。
