Examining the Potential Use of Technology in Permanent Supportive Housing

IntroductionResearch on using technology in permanent supportive housing (PSH) has been limited. This study conducted formative work on understanding how technology might benefit PSH tenants.MethodFocus groups were conducted at five PSH sites in Southern California, with 42 tenants participating. Thematic analysis was carried out in which data were analyzed both deductively and inductively using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Thematic findings were organized using the theory's constructs.ResultsParticipants generally acknowledged that technology can improve the health and well-being of PSH tenants but noted that many barriers to uptake exist. Tenants identified that PSH programs could play a more active role in facilitating technology uptake by providing universal Wi-Fi access in buildings and assigning a staff member to help residents become more familiar with new technology. Limited expectations that residents should or will use technology, however, may impede programs from playing this role.ConclusionThe unified theory of acceptance and use of technology proved useful in studying how technology could be used to improve the lives of PSH tenants. Future work should include the perspectives of service providers that will need to be considered during the development and piloting of specific technologies.