Susan Buchino, assistant professor in the UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences, has been consulting with the Louisville Metro Company since 2019 to provide research and program evaluations for multiple homeless initiatives. Her research produced a report on solving the problem of homelessness on the streets of Louisville, and her work continues to have an impact. Now Buchino will act as the recently appointed Director of Homeless Services to coordinate the city's homeless initiatives.
UofL News interviewed Buchino to discuss her new joint appointment and how her research can serve as the basis for positive change.
UofL News: Why did you decide to assume the new role of the city's director of homeless services?
Buchino: Homelessness has a huge impact on public health. This is a problem with solutions. Our community lacks affordable housing, and COVID will only exacerbate housing instability. Since the city has prioritized the use of American Rescue Program (ARP) funds to fund housing programs, there is a real opportunity for systemic change and progress. I hope that by assuming a leadership position, I can raise my awareness of the root causes of homelessness and participate in the development of solutions.
UofL News: Knowing that your efforts have been recognized by city officials, you will provide leadership and guidance to solve difficult challenges. How do you feel?
Puccino: Is this a dream? See our research as the basis for positive change and make good use of our superpowers. I was asked to serve the community in this way, which is really humble.
UofL News: Most of your research and community involvement seems to have brought you to this moment. Explain this trip a little bit.
Buchino: As an occupational therapist, I work in a community practice environment to provide support for patients with chronic and persistent mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. When I turn to public health, it is because I have witnessed how systemic gaps and barriers can make poor health rather than supporting long-term health, and my research has always been conducted through this lens.
Two years ago, I led a team of UofL researchers to examine national best practices and our own care system, and advise on policy and system-level changes. After that report, the Louisville Metro leadership accepted our recommendations through the Homeless Working Group, and I have continued to participate in the city's work ever since.
UofL News: You have a clear passion for solving the problem of homelessness. What inspired this enthusiasm?
Buchino: I was inspired by people I met in my career and volunteer positions. Housing is a right. Housing can save lives.
Normally, a person becomes homeless not because of their own failure, but because the system has failed. Losing housing is a trauma, but we require people in crisis to find the resources they need in a complex and overwhelming system, and our community should have provided these resources to prevent everyone from becoming homeless. There is no justice at all.
UofL News: Your current time is divided between UofL and the city. As a faculty member, how will your continuous research and expertise affect the changes you can implement in the community?
Buchino: The goal of the Homeless Services Department (HSD) is to make data-driven decisions that determine how we are strategic in our approach to reduce the gaps we see within the Louisville Metro government and within the care system And the number of obstacles.
Personally, my research aims to promote fairness and raise the voice of those with life experience. Usually, we don’t ask people how we can help, but assume that the work we do as professionals is useful to them. The homeless population is creative and adaptable, and it is worth participating in the problem-solving process.
UofL News: As the Director of Homeless Services, what initiatives do you hope to lead?
Buchino: I am very happy that HSD has participated in the ARP project, which will provide services to our homeless neighbors and increase the inventory of affordable housing. In addition to housing, the 2019 report also provided seven system improvement recommendations, which the Louisville Metro adopted as a strategic plan. HSD brings the ability to address these strategies, as well as strengthen coordination and communication between providers, policy makers, and the community.
UofL News: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Bucino: Solving the problem of homelessness is a community problem, not a problem that can be solved by a department, an organization, or even a department. We need to build synergy around the solution within the community. To learn more about the root causes and solutions of homelessness, visit knowhomeless.com.