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Housing homeless women: a consumer preference study.
P Goering1, D Paduchak, J Durbin
1Social and Community Psychiatry Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Canada.
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Consumer preferences guide housing for special needs groups. Homeless women desire independent living with support services, rejecting settings with those facing mental illness, addiction, or criminal activity.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Effective housing development for special needs populations requires understanding consumer preferences.
- Chronically homeless individuals present unique challenges in housing planning and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the housing histories, problems, needs, and preferences of chronically homeless women.
- To inform the planning and development of suitable housing solutions for this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 38 chronically homeless women in Toronto.
- Participants were contacted through local hostels and drop-in centers.
Main Results:
- Despite significant mental and physical health issues, participants strongly preferred independent living.
- Supportive services were identified as crucial for maintaining independent housing.
- A strong opposition was expressed towards co-housing with individuals with mental illness, substance abuse issues, or criminal backgrounds.
Conclusions:
- Housing plans for chronically homeless women should prioritize independent living with integrated support services.
- Segregation from specific populations is a key preference for this group.
- Consumer-centric approaches are vital for successful special needs housing initiatives.