Table 3.

Transitions to Housing Study: Reflections on Life Goals in PSH (12-Month Interview; n=369)

	%(n)	Exemplar Quotes
How have your goals changed since you first moved into housing? (codes not mutually exclusive)
No change	31.5 (115)	“It has not changed. I have always just wanted some peace of mind.”	“Still need more money.”	“Goals have not changed. Getting into my current apartment was just a step.”
Evolving/improving goals since housing	30.7 (116)	“I was thinking about getting off the streets now I’m focused on being a good person.”	“Not worried about finding a safe place to stay anymore. That was my only focus before moving into my apartment. Now I’m thinking about the more distant future.”	“My goals were based on survival issues now they’re focused on my quality of life.”
More able to pursue original goals	18.5 (68)	“My goals have been the same. The apartment has allowed me to focus more on them.”	“My goals seem more reachable now.”	“I can’t really say that my goal has changed but my capacity to reach my goal has changed.”
Met goals	17.1 (63)	“I now see my life as more perfect. I feel blessed.”	“I feel more relaxed and I don’t sleep in my car. I’m not around people who purposely want to say hurtful things to me. I take my meds now.”	“Everything changed for the better.”
Less able to pursue goals	5.2 (19)	“Goals have changed poorly. It was better when I first moved in here. I’m more depressed.”	“I’m less goal-oriented now. Moving into supportive housing makes people lazy. My pride is hurt. Even if you want to move out it is difficult to get out.	“I thought I would want to stay here for a couple years but now I want to get out of here as soon as possible. It keeps me depressed.”
What is the most important thing you need to help you reach your goal? (codes not mutually exclusive)
Personal effort	36.1 (134)	“Try to improve my life. Not letting things get me down.”	“To just keep paying my rent on time.”	“I need to stay focused mentally and watch the people who I associate with.”
Money	21.6 (80)	“College funding for the next three years.”	“Need more money to buy more music equipment.”	“To earn more money to help some of my grandchildren that are struggling financially.”
General instrumental assistance	18.1 (67)	“To wait for [my] name to come to the top of the housing list.”	“Clothing to be presentable at church.”	“Taking care of and getting my license back.”
Services	10.0 (37)	“I need to find a better doctor.”	“Better case management and legal representation.”	“Guidance from case manager.”
Health	8.6 (32)	“Get surgery and physical therapy.”	“To continue heaving healthcare, following up with my doctors regularly.”	“Recover from my anxiety.”
Social support/relationships	7.8 (29)	“To be around better people.”	“Support from my family.”	“Access to my grandchildren. They’re far away.”
Religion	4.9 (18)	“To maintain a connection to God.”	“To study the Bible and pray.”	“Pray and ask Jesus what to do.”
Education	4.9 (18)	“To finish school and get my degree in music.”	“To go back to school.”	“Getting into the LAPD academy.”
Employment	4.9 (18)	“Have a really good job come my way.”	“To get a job.”	“Get a better job.”
Relocation	1.3 (5)	“Find a better neighborhood.”	“A safer environment to live in.”	“To move first. Once I move I can get my life back on track.”
Other	10.5 (39)	“To investigate to find the cure for the sickness (HIV).”	“I need the cooperation of the universe.”	“Miracle.”