Abstract
This study explores the perspectives of professionals who work with clients in permanent supportive housing, on harm reduction as an approach to working with dual diagnosis clients particularly in ensuring stable housing. The study used secondary data from a single human services agency in the greater Sacramento area that offered to the researchers the data they collected from 75 professionals who work in their agency. Housing individuals with co-occurring disorders such as mental illness and substance use is problematic due to the complexities of individual symptoms. This has created a circular pattern of chronic homelessness among dully-diagnosed adults. Two prevalent models currently exist which try to address chronic homelessness within this stigmatized population; the abstinence model and the harm reduction model of substance use tolerance. The study findings indicate that the majority of respondents support harm reduction as an efficient model of recovery that ensures stable housing options. Their perspectives reinforce the literature review themes that harm reduction is not counterproductive to recovery and stable maintenance of an acceptable standard of living. Recommendations for openness to innovative and practical modalities for the treatment and rehabilitation of the dual diagnosis population are included from the harm reduction and integration framework.