Purpose - Psychologically informed environments (PIEs) are increasingly being used within the homeless sector to meet the psychological needs of this population, with increasing evidence for their effectiveness. Reflective practice (RP) is one of the "pillars" of the PIE approach. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact on staff following the delivery of RP in Centrepoint: a national homeless charity for young people (YP) aged 16-25 years, following its introduction and adaptation post COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach - A mixed method approach was adopted. Data collected on the frequency and uptake of RP across the organisation was analysed, including qualitative analyses of the themes emerging from the RP sessions and a staff survey to explore attendees' experience of RP. Findings - Overall, the majority of staff were satisfied with RP and found it helpful. Qualitative responses from the survey indicated that staff valued having a space to reflect on and speak about their work as well as a place to learn new psychological "tools" or approaches to working with the homeless YP. They also noted the "supportive" function of the sessions, which is particularly important given the stressful impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on "frontline" health and social care staff. Dissatisfaction was associated with a lack of access or insufficient frequency of RP sessions, suggesting more resources are required to allow for a greater provision of RP. Originality/value - To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is one of the first to explore RP in the homelessness sector, and the first within the COVID-19 pandemic.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present insights into how extra care housing (ECH) can support couples, where at least one partner is living with dementia. ECH is a model of housing with flexible care and support that supports older people to live independently. Couples are enabled to continue to live together in a self-contained flat or apartment with additional support for either or both parties as required.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports on findings from a large study of living with dementia in ECH (DemECH) that involved qualitative interviews with ECH residents affected by dementia, ECH staff and adult social care professionals were conducted across eight ECH schemes in England.FindingsData offer insight into how ECH can support couples might navigate their relationship, maintain a sense of togetherness and adapt to the challenges posed by changing care and support needs and cognitive decline.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study are based on a small sample with limited diversity, which is not claimed to be representative. Participants were identified by gatekeepers at each research site, which may have presented some selection bias.Originality/valueThis paper provides novel insights into the living experiences of couples residing in ECH where at least one partner is living with dementia. Couples' experiences in ECH have been little considered in research thus far.
PurposeThe Frailty, and Holistic Care Needs Assessment (FHCNA) questionnaire was designed for use by non-clinical staff to assess the health and social care needs among people residing in homeless hostels. This study aims to refine the FHCNA to enable use in practice. The authors explored the views of mainstream health and social care professionals (HSCPs) regarding necessary questions, formatting and potential utility and then modified the questionnaire so it can be used to respond to identified needs in line with health reviews and Care Act assessments.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews with HSCPs practising in mainstream services were carried out and analysed thematically to explore their views of how they could be supported to respond to the frailty needs of people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Modifications to the FHCNA were made, and focus groups were carried out to check for usability with hostel staff and people with lived experience of homelessness.FindingsMultiple uses of the modified FHCNA were identified including guiding consultations, supporting multi-disciplinary decision making and education/advocacy for both mainstream professionals and homelessness services. To optimise its utility in the face of systemic barriers, adaptations were suggested, including a shift towards the social care paradigm to support professionals' understanding of identified needs within the context of the Care Act, the addition of information to combat the normalisation of frailty in PEH and prompts to streamline responses from GPs. Feedback from PEH and hostel staff was positive, and acceptability of the questionnaire remained following adaptations.Practical implicationsMultiple uses of the modified FHCNA were identified, including guiding consultations, supporting multidisciplinary decision-making and education/advocacy for both mainstream professionals and homelessness services.Social implicationsFindings supported adaptations of the FHCNA to combat the normalisation of frailty in PEH and prompts to streamline responses from GPs.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to explore how information regarding the health and care needs of PEH can be gathered in a way that facilitates a timely and individualised response from mainstream HSCPs.
PurposeThis study of bibliometric analysis aims to fill the gap in current research on formal social support for older adults, particularly focusing on their wellbeing and quality of life. The goal is to offer a clear overview of the academic progress in this area using a bibliometric approach.Design/methodology/approachThe group of data sets containing publications up to December 2023 from Scopus was created to gather relevant information on formal social support for the elderly. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a historical overview of research trends. Bibliometric techniques were applied to identify key articles, authors, journals, organizations and countries that have contributed to this field.FindingsThe analysis shows the current state of research, emphasizing key contributors, important publications and emerging themes in ageing studies. Citation patterns and literature reviews played a crucial role in identifying the factors that influence the development of scholarly work on formal social support for the elderly.Practical implicationsThis study offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners involved in designing and implementing programs and services for older adults. The identification of influential publications and prominent researchers can also facilitate knowledge translation and collaboration, ensuring that research findings are effectively disseminated and used in practice.Originality/valueThis research greatly improves the understanding of social support systems and their impact on the quality of life for elderly individuals, filling gaps in existing literature. It introduces a new perspective by integrating literature on formal social support, highlighting the importance of focusing on these systems and their implementation strategies for older adults. This study also sheds light on key contributors and emerging areas of interest in the field of ageing.
Purpose When developing housing-focused strategies to address homelessness, stakeholders often face barriers in the form of community resistance that can impede the availability and, therefore, access to various housing options. The purpose of this study is to outline the literature regarding the neighborhood impacts of permanent supportive housing (PSH) and emergency shelters (ESs). Design/methodology/approach Peer-reviewed and gray literature from 2011 to 2021 on the neighborhood impacts of ESs and PSH was reviewed. Findings Studies indicate that PSH generally has positive impacts on communities. The limited research on ESs demonstrates that they can have some negative impacts on neighborhood property values, crime and emergency service utilization, but that being unhoused is often an underlying cause of crime victimization and the need for services. Originality/value The findings of this review are of practical relevance for housing programs and policies in communities, as well as for social and health services. This review also points to a need for further research on ESs and the incorporation of voices of people with lived experience of housing instability.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop the understanding of young people’s experience of exiting homelessness, including facilitators and barriers. It considers these experiences and how they can help inform best practice. Design/methodology/approach Interpretative phenomenological analysis of individual semi-structured interviews with six young people who have successfully exited homelessness in South Wales was completed. Findings Main themes consider the challenges associated with exiting homelessness; the importance of people and relationships; creative methods of coping and surviving; and agency and growth. Research limitations/implications Working within a framework that allows for the emergence of posttraumatic growth narratives is supported. The findings also support the use of assertive and consistent efforts in engaging young homeless people. It is argued that a reconceptualization of preventative strategy is required, one which acknowledges the challenging period of maintaining a tenancy post-homelessness. Originality/value This first UK-based exploration of young people’s lived experiences of exiting homelessness enriches the understanding of the challenges faced by this group and the unique and creative ways they respond to adversity, with important implications for service provision and future research.
Purpose This paper aims to provide a characterisation of homelessness in Lisbon by presenting the profile of this population and the responses and resources for planning and intervention. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the quantitative data of the database of 2,456 homeless people in the municipality of Lisbon in 2018, the authors analyse the socio-demographic profile and living conditions of homeless services users. This counting methodology is also used to provide data on the number of homeless in 2019 and 2020. Findings The data shows that the homeless are confronted by several other social issues, which affect different dimensions of their life: income, health, housing conditions and employability. Although limited to a single Portuguese municipality, namely, Lisbon, these results give us a picture of some of the key aspects of the profile of people experiencing homelessness. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this analysis is the first attempt to explore the profile of the homeless in Lisbon and contributes to a better understanding of the socio-demographic characteristics and living conditions of this population in Portugal. These findings are of relevance to policymakers for the elaboration of future homeless and housing policies.
Purpose This paper aims to share experiences of using a collective narrative methodology to help people explore their stories and skills in the context of experiences of powerfully negative dominant social narratives around homelessness. It aims to share peoples’ experiences of using these methods in hope to inspire other services to try similar creative techniques to support people who have experienced homelessness to recognise individual and collective strengths and challenge blaming and pathologising narratives. Design/methodology/approach Working within a local branch of a national charity supporting people to end their homelessness, the author consulted with members to consider how the author might best introduce narrative ideas in a workshop using the Tree of Life methodology. The author co-developed a two-part workshop, observed the process and collected feedback. Findings The workshops were found to be valuable to both facilitators and attendees and fit well within service provision. Workshop staff and attendees also identified key themes in their collective and individual strengths, which they felt may benefit from sharing with the wider field and might usefully inform the commissioning and development of supportive services in this sector. Originality/value Although there is existing evidence of narrative methodologies being useful in the homelessness sector, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of the use of the Tree of Life methodology being used in these settings. Attendees of the workshop were keen for the work to be published for wider dissemination and learning.
Purpose This study investigates the housing preferences of older adults in Nigeria’s evolving real estate market, emphasizing the growing social sustainability gap driven by population aging, housing delivery challenges, property management services and cultural considerations. This study aims to inform strategies that enhance health, well-being and social sustainability for this demographic, integrating property management and cultural factors into housing solutions. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 120 Nigerian adults aged 65 and above. Data were collected with structured questionnaire and interviews and analyzed using nonparametric Mann–Whitney U tests. Findings Findings show strong preferences for health and safety features such as bathroom safety modifications, disability-friendly designs, accessible transportation and proximity to amenities. Property management services, such as responsiveness and senior-focused decision-making, and cultural preferences like multigenerational living, were also significant in shaping housing choices by gender and age. Practical implications The taxonomic breakdown of housing preferences offers valuable guidance for urban planners, housing providers and policymakers in designing age-appropriate, culturally relevant and service-integrated housing solutions that promote social sustainability and improve quality of life for older adults. Originality/value This study offers new insights into the intersection of housing, aging, property management and culture in emerging markets, providing strategies to address socioeconomic challenges.
Purpose Housing First (HF) is an evidence-based practice effective in reducing homelessness among those who experience chronic homelessness. However, a strong synthesis evaluating the effectiveness of this intervention is lacking for people who use drugs. The purpose of this study is to explore international literature databases to identify the effectiveness of the HF programme among people who use drugs. Design/methodology/approach A modified framework from Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was used, namely: identifying the research question; developing inclusion and exclusion criteria; identifying relevant studies for study selection; charting the data; and collating, summarising and reporting the results. Findings Three main themes were identified: substance use related outcomes, housing-related outcomes and social outcomes. There is strong evidence that HF increases housing retention and reduces homelessness among chronically homeless people who use drugs. However, literature relating to substance use and social outcomes for this population report mixed and inconclusive findings. Research limitations/implications This scoping review concludes that additional research is required to conclusively determine whether HF is an effective intervention for homeless substance users. Future researchers must use formal assessments of substance use and ensure clear reporting of the HF intervention is accomplished. It is recommended for researchers and policymakers to consider the specific needs of the people who use drugs before implementation of HF for this population. Practical implications Differential effectiveness of HF through diagnostic subgroups such as alcohol use and drug use is varied with alcohol use being found to decrease due to the HF programme, but findings relating to other drug use outcomes are varied. As most previous studies used the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to measure substance use among participants, however, the ASI, a self-reporting measure has unstable criterion validity and can cause under or over reporting of substance use. Structured toxicology or diagnostic assessments of substance use must be used for research instead to assist researchers in making firm conclusions about the reported rates. Social implications The slightly poorer housing outcomes among people who use substances indicate that this group may need more intensive approaches to finding and maintaining housing. Additional services for the group that address comorbid problems and consequences relating to substance use are required. It is suggested that housing should be provided within an integrated model that offers additional support services such as case management as when well matched to clients, case management appears to be an effective intervention among homeless sub-populations, as it reduces substance use, improves quality of life and health outcomes, improves social connectedness and increases housing tenure and satisfaction. Originality/value This scoping review concludes that additional research is required to conclusively determine whether HF is an effective intervention for homeless substance users. Future researchers must use formal assessments of substance use and ensure clear reporting of the HF intervention is accomplished. It is recommended for researchers and policymakers to consider the specific needs of the people who use drugs before HF implementation for this population.
Purpose This study aims to describe the self-perceived risk of housing loss among low-income individuals in the context of four potential life shocks and examines whether individuals’ social and economic resources are protective against self-perceived risk of housing loss in the context of these life shocks. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a national online survey of low-income households in the USA. The authors asked respondents to assess whether they would be at risk of housing loss if they experienced any of four potential life shocks: job loss, moderate and major medical catastrophes and damage to home from natural disaster. Logistic regression models estimated the association between self-perceived risk of housing loss in the context of these life shocks and respondents’ economic and social resources, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Findings A minority of respondents reported that they would be able to maintain their housing if they were to experience a life shock (i.e. 34%–43% depending on the specific life shock). Receipt of more generous forms of income support as well as having family or friends to live with in the event of housing loss were the most consistent economic and social resource predictors of respondents’ self-perceived ability to maintain their housing in the context of a life shock. Originality/value The findings suggest that comprehensive assessments of risk of housing crises should take into account how individuals view their vulnerability to housing loss if they were to experience a life shock.
Purpose - The Cuban population is going through a process of demographic change and accelerated aging, which, together with a difficult economic situation, places the older adults in a complex economic reality, especially in the most vulnerable communities. This paper aims to analyze the housing situation of the older adults in a vulnerable community in Santiago de Cuba during a period of particular economic difficulty. Design/methodology/approach - The study analyzes the housing situation of a sample of people over 60 years of age (n = 325) in a vulnerable community in the city of Santiago de Cuba. A structured interview was used for data collection. Findings - The results show that most of the people over 60 years of age interviewed considered their homes to be in a poor state of repair. A significant part of the homes were built with precarious materials and had cracked walls, leaks, problems with the functioning of the toilet, broken pipes, etc. In addition, most of the houses were poorly equipped, with a large number of them lacking refrigerators, cell phones or computers or other electrical appliances (heater, shower, stove, etc.). Women, people with black skin and people over 75 years of age were in a particularly precarious housing situation. Social implications - Demographic changes and the expected aging of the population in Cuba mean that meeting the needs of the older adults is expected to become increasingly complex. The design of public policies and administrative management should take into consideration the housing needs of people over 60 years of age in vulnerable communities, with special attention to women, racialized people and older adults. Originality/value - The research was conducted based on the information provided by a particularly vulnerable group in Cuba (older adults), about which there is limited information available, and the data were collected during a particularly challenging time for the Cuban economy: the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. The challenges of conducting research of this nature in Cuba and the period during which data collection took place form the basis of the originality of this manuscript.
PurposeThis paper aims to respond to the need for "socially sustainable settlements for all" and the need for successful integration within the settlements through building strong social constructs among the settlers.Design/methodology/approachMixed methods were used in this study. A sample size of 332 households in Pagirinya Refugee Settlement was used. The settlement is divided into six blocks, each block is subdivided into clusters. Each cluster comprises of 100 households. Due to variations in the number of households in each settlement block, the authors used a proportional sampling approach to determine the number of respondent households in each settlement block. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Chi-square and an interdependent multivariate statistical analysis were performed to establish the relationship between housing and social sustainability.FindingsThe study finds a significant relationship between housing and social sustainability when considered jointly on the variables of roofs of buildings and how often the refugee respondents meet with neighbours (p = 0.018) and when considered jointly on the variables of the width of access roads and how knowledgeable the refugee respondents are about their neighbours (p = 0.018). The study also finds a significant relationship between housing and social sustainability when considered jointly on the variables of the number of direct access roads to the households and the number of friends of the refugee respondents (p = 0.019).Originality/valueWith limited literature, this is a novel approach. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous studies focused on the specifics of a building and analysed its relationship with the social dynamics, especially in settlement studies.
PurposeThis study aims to examine the motivations and supports of stakeholders in the slum communities, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachTwo-stage methodologies were used for data collection. Published Google News articles about the phenomenon as well as exploratory qualitative in-depth interviews with 15 participants.FindingsThe evidence shows that structured and unstructured are the two main categories of stakeholders operating in the space of slums in Ghana. It shows that stakeholders are motivated by their objectives and ethical or moral obligations to provide support in the form of consumables, housing and finance to the slums.Research limitations/implicationsBecause of the data collection regime used in this project, findings are specific to the Ghanaian context and not generalisable. However, the results could be beneficial in other contexts with similar slum phenomena.Practical implicationsThe conclusions drawn serve as a springboard for urban managers responsible for slum administration and management to develop policy packages to incentivise and enlist more non-slum stakeholders in the existing stakeholders.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is one of the few that expands the frontiers of the stakeholder model within context to discover specific slum stakeholders, their motivations and support for the slums in a consolidated manner.
Purpose This study aims to co-develop a Frailty, Health and Care Needs Assessment (FHCNA) questionnaire for people experiencing homelessness and explore the feasibility of its use by non-clinical staff in homeless hostels. Design/methodology/approach The FHCNA, aimed at identifying frailty and other health and care priorities for people experiencing homelessness, was co-designed in workshops (online and in person) with homelessness and inclusion health staff. Its feasibility was tested by staff and their clients in two hostels, with pre- and post-study focus groups held with hostel staff to gain input and feedback. Findings The FHCNA was co-developed and then used to collect 74 pairs of resident and key worker inputted data (62% of eligible hostel residents). The mean age of clients was 48 years (range 22–82 years). High levels of unmet need were identified. Over half (53%) were identified as frail. Common concerns included difficulty walking (46%), frequent falls (43%), chronic pain (36%), mental health issues (57%) and dental concerns (50%). In total, 59% of clients reported difficulty in performing at least one basic activity of daily living, while only 14% had undergone a Care Act Assessment. Hostel staff found using the FHCNA to be feasible, acceptable and potentially useful in facilitating explorations of met and unmet health and social care needs of hostel clients. By identifying unmet needs, the FHCNA has the potential to support staff to advocate for access to health and social care support. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to co-develop and feasibility test a questionnaire for use by non-clinically trained staff to identify frailty and other health and care needs of people experiencing homelessness in a hostel setting.
Purpose This paper aims to assess the overall social housing development, point out factors affecting it and propose some policy implications for social housing development. Design/methodology/approach The research investigated investors, credit institutions and officials involved in social housing development. Bac Ninh province currently has 51 social housing projects that have been and are being implemented. The hypothetical regression model has seven latent variables and is tested by the criteria through the SPSS25.0 software. Findings There are 29 factors belonging to seven groups affecting housing development. Their impact rates range from 3.47% to 30.25%. Research limitations/implications The study has only identified the factors affecting social housing development but has not undertaken an in-depth assessment of its development status and forecast for the future. Therefore, this gap needs to be further studied. The proposed research method could also be applied when researching social housing developments in other countries around the world. Practical implications To develop social housing to meet the needs of the real estate market, it is necessary to improve the policies that have the strongest impact first. Then, it is necessary to improve the factors with a smaller impact. Social implications The study proposes policy implications for faster housing development for low-income people that improve their living standards. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper has studied for the first time social housing development and the factors affecting it. The paper also shows the level of their impact so that priority policies can be applied to each factor.
Purpose This study aims to explore the gendered nature of housing insecurity by investigating how gender affects women’s experience moving from transitional to market housing. By describing women’s pathways out of supportive or transitional housing support, the authors show how patriarchal forces in housing policies and practices affect women’s efforts to find secure housing. The authors argue that gender-neutral approaches to housing will fail to meet women’s needs. Design/methodology/approach This study explores the narratives from women accessing support services in Halifax, Canada. The first author conducted deep narrative interviews with women seeking to move from transition to market housing. Findings This research sheds light on the effects of gendered barriers to safe, suitable and affordable housing; how women’s experiences and expectations are shaped by these barriers; and, how housing-based supports must address the uniquely gendered experiences women face as they access market housing. In addition, this research reveals the importance of gender-responsive services that empower women facing a sexist housing market. Originality/value Little research has explored questions related to gender and housing among those seeking to move from transitional to marker housing, and existing research focuses on women’s housing insecurity as it relates to domestic violence. The sample of women included those having housing insecurity for a variety of reasons, including substance use and young motherhood.
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many industries, and reports indicate that this includes the illicit drug market. Recent research suggests that the homeless are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic, and the UK Government has acted to house rough sleepers. Research is scarce regarding homeless people’s experiences of the illicit drug market. This study aims to explore homeless people’s experiences of the drug supply in the UK during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach Eight homeless people who use illicit drugs, residing in hostels for homeless people in Southampton, participated in semi-structured one-on-one telephone-based interviews. Findings A thematic analysis revealed five themes: availability of drugs, presence of dealers, quality of drugs, finances and personal experiences. Participants reported varying experiences of the drug supply, with lockdown measures expressed as the main reason for reduced supplies, as users found it difficult to find dealers and generate income for purchasing drugs. Research limitations/implications The results may lack generalisability to the wider population, such as rough sleepers and drug dealers, suggesting a need for further research into people’s experiences of the drug supply during COVID-19. Research on this topic could be more in-depth through the use of research methods that are convenient for the homeless population. Practical implications Services should invest in harm reduction services and encourage homeless people who use drugs to engage in substitution treatment. Homeless services should provide psychological support for homeless people who use drugs. Social implications The changes in homeless people’s behaviour following the pandemic may have implications for their interactions with the rest of society (e.g. begging in town centres may reduce). These changes in behaviour may also change the way society can best support homeless people. Originality/value The results are partially consistent with other research findings about the illicit drug supply; however, they also suggest that some individuals experienced minimal change in the illicit drug supply.
Purpose Despite a significant evidence base illustrating the issue of housing insecurity and homelessness experienced by women over the age of 55 in Australia [Pawson et al., 2018; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2021b; Mission Australia 2022; Per Capita 2022], there continues to be a knowledge gap in the representation of older women in current Federal and New South Wales (NSW) State Government housing and homelessness policies and initiatives. This paper aims to identify the extent and ways in which older women were represented (or not represented) in the Federal and NSW State housing and homelessness policies in 2022. Design/methodology/approach Of the total primary and supplementary Federal and NSW State policy and strategy documents, 16 were collected through a systematic review and then analysed using a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework and feminist lens to explore quotes, phrases, keywords and language choices which suggested prevalent themes, rhetorical devices and dominant discourses. Findings Three significant themes were identified by the analysis (1) “relinquished responsibility”, (2) “inconsistent rhetoric” and (3) “homogenising and ideological cherry picking”. These themes presented the authors with three main discussion points to inform policy reform which we have addressed in relation to policy implications, evidence-based policy decision-making and impacts on older women. Originality/value The combination of a systematic review with CDA provides a unique approach to exploring homelessness policy for older women.
PurposeMoving On initiatives (MOIs) provide opportunities for permanent supportive housing (PSH) residents to exit PSH services for mainstream housing. This study aims to better understand the factors that influence residents' decisions on whether to leave or stay in these services.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines ambivalence toward leaving PSH using interviews with 40 MOI participants. Data were analyzed using framework analysis.Findings"Pull factors" for staying in PSH included secure benefits, partial autonomy and being comfortable enough. Participants viewed PSH as their cheapest option and a protective force. They also described PSH as "semi-independence" and expressed concern with a lack of privacy, free movement and unwanted supervision.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to consider residents' motivations for staying in PSH when given the opportunity to leave. Implications for PSH service delivery and implementation of MOIs are discussed.
