Emerald | Housing, Care and Support | Table of Contents

Supportive housing best practices in a mid-sized US urban community

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – Housing First has been upheld as an evidence-based best practice for transitioning homeless individuals into permanent housing in a maximally cost-effective and humane manner. However, there is much variance in the implementation and structure of Housing First programming in the USA. This paper aims to focus on a collaborative, interdisciplinary Housing First effort to house and provide case management and ancillary services to chronically homeless individuals in The City of San Mateo, California. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a case study in which the philosophy, structure, and impact of San Mateo's outreach and housing team are discussed. To explore the project's impact, data concerning arrests and other criminal justice contacts, as well as health costs associated with these clients, both prior to and post housing and services, were collected and analyzed. These are corroborated with qualitative data on client outcomes. Findings – After participants received housing and wrap-around supportive services provided through the collaboration of police, local stakeholders, and non-profits, the cost of medical care and criminal justice interventions were dramatically reduced. While challenges such as the availability of housing units remain, the findings of this study strongly support the interdisciplinary outreach team as a model for Housing First programming. Research limitations/implications – This is an in-depth study, derived from a particularly innovative project; and therefore the sample size is limited by the size of the project. Originality/value – The originality of this study lies in its analysis of a Housing First model which incorporates an interdisciplinary outreach team designed to provide highly individualized care for clients. The San Mateo permanent supportive housing pilot project is itself unique in that it incorporates a Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) comprised of the police, other government entities, local stakeholders, and other non-profits engaged with homelessness.

How local housing can unlock lasting health and care

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Tony Stacey, Ian Hembrow) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to suggest that social housing can and should be the local hub for cost-effective, human-scale health and wellbeing. It aims to explore the way that community-based housing providers can help health and social care services to deliver long-term wellbeing. Design/methodology/approach – The argument is illustrated with examples of constructive practice drawn from membership of the PlaceShapers Group of housing associations, across different parts of England. Findings – Localism and promotion of public health lie at the roots of social housing, dating back more than 150 years. Because of their physical stake and presence in communities, social landlords are able to offer combined homes and support in a way and on a scale that few private operators can match. So social housing providers are in a prime position to add value and recast the relationship between health, wellbeing, social care and housing. But social housing organisations and their leaders will need to be highly inventive, enterprising and determined to reap the full rewards for service users and neighbourhoods. Practical implications – Changes to the health, wellbeing and social care landscape, coming into effect in England and Wales from April 2013, present a unique opportunity to bridge the “parallel worlds” of housing and health. Local housing providers now have the chance to bond their long-term presence, commitment and investment in communities to the new outcomes required for health and social care. Originality/value – The lead author is chair of a grouping of community-based housing associations working throughout England and is especially well placed to identify examples of innovative practice, such as those described in the paper.

Physical barriers and risks in basic activities of daily living performance evaluation in state housing for older people in Chile

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to describe an evaluation instrument designed to detect physical barriers and risks in basic activities of daily living (BADLs) performance by senior citizens and presents findings obtained in a representative sample of older persons living in housing programs provided by the State of Chile. Its aim is to develop an objective instrument which can serve as reference point for housing adaptations and improvement or for the use in new designs, appropriate to the changing functional capacities of this age group. Design/methodology/approach – The research is broadly framed in an ecological perspective. It draws on an empirical study, observing older people's BADLs performance in selected State provided housing in the Santiago area. The approach includes some quantitative but mainly qualitative aspects from a descriptive, explanatory and cross sectional perspective. Objective observation of functional BADLs performance, as well as subjective users' perspectives, is compared. Findings – State housing design is significant in BADLs performance, limiting functionality in one third of associated operations observed. These mainly concerned demanding reaching requirements associated with height, but also extended to other inadequacies in design or lack of elements in different situations, which act as barriers or bring potential risks. Research limitations/implications – Heterogeneity in the functional conditions of older people regardless of age and gender, as well as different housing types makes it difficult to develop standardized recommendations, requiring a tailored approach in the case of adaptations, thus limiting coverage. Further research should be carried out after performing corrective adaptations to evaluate the impact of these interventions. Practical implications – The paper prompts a reassessment, by State housing providers, of the architectural design of housing types for older people as well as the adaptation of existing units to extend independence in time rather than undermine it. Social implications – The study of the effects of architectural design of housing on older people's independence when performing BADLs is underdeveloped and should be increased in order to promote a better quality of life for this age group through a more friendly and inclusive environment. Originality/value – This research attempts to generate an objective instrument, useful to provide evidence for architects, designers and policy makers and suitable to be applied in other housing contexts in order to improve the habitat and older people's quality of life.

Pervasive interactions: a purposive best evidence review with methodological observations on the impact of housing circumstances and housing interventions on adult mental health and well-being

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Robin Johnson) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to present an overview of the current state of evidence on the effect of housing circumstances, and housing-related interventions, on adult mental health and well-being. It covers the entire range of health from chronic illness to positive thriving, and both individual and community-level/public health. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based upon a purposive review, commissioned originally for the UK Department of Health; and therefore is selective in giving priority to research relevant to public policy considerations, and to the UK context. Research with a variety of methodological foundations is considered, where robust enough by its own standards. Findings – The available evidence gives conditional support to policies accentuating empowerment at individual and community levels; early intervention; locality or place-based interventions; and integrated working practice. The complexity of methodological issues emerges as a key challenge for research in this field, and for the prospect of evidence-based national policy. Meanwhile local knowledge and interpretation of data in context may be more reliable than context-blind studies. Research limitations/implications – Where “hard evidence” is unavailable, reports of the lived experience of individuals and in communities remain a legitimate basis for policy and commissioning. Originality/value – This appears to be the first attempt in print to cover such a wide canvas in one overview.

Responsible austerity

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Lynn Vickery) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000

2012 Awards for Excellence

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000