Strategies for overcoming barriers to community-based housing for the chronically mentally ill

This paper reports the results of a study of community acceptance of housing for the mentally ill in Maryland. The findings indicate that community opposition is less likely to occur (1) when establishing apartmental living arrangements rather than group homes, (2) in less organized neighborhoods, (3) where other housing for specialized populations has not been previously developed, and (4) by using a "low profile" strategy which avoids informing community members in advance of start-up.