Objectives and hypotheses
trauma
SECONDARY
Among communities with well-being damaged by gun violence, our study aims to compare effectiveness of TRUE HAVEN vs. conditions as usual on the incidence of gun violence at the neighborhood level. We hypothesize TRUE HAVEN will be associated with lower incident gun violence compared with conditions as usual. Second, we will compare the effect of TRUE HAVEN vs. conditions as usual on secondary outcomes including social cohesion of the neighborhood, and among participants enrolled in the housing stability component, changes in their self-efficacy, perceived health and well-being, and financial security. We hypothesize that the intervention will lead to improvement in these outcomes. Lastly, for each intervention component, we hypothesize the following: (1) pairing rigorous financial education with financial support for home ownership and rental assistance will increase families’ housing stability and neighborhood cohesion, changing the neighborhood context and decreasing gun violence; (2) training trusted community members in trauma-informed counseling will provide needed psychosocial support for families and communities affected by gun violence, heighten awareness of community members affected by trauma, destigmatize accessing mental healthcare, and improve access to mental healthcare, thereby breaking the cycle of trauma and violence; and (3) convening a coalition of decision-makers and influencers at the city and state level to address structural and policy barriers that prohibit achieving housing stability and accessing mental healthcare, thereby actively dismantling structurally racist policies and facilitate components (1) and (2).