scholarly journals Environmental Assessment of Housing for Older Adults Facing Housing Insecurity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 531-531
Author(s):  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Muhammad Qureshi ◽  
Habib Chaudhury ◽  
Sarah Canham ◽  
Rachel Weldrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Transitional Housing ◽  
Housing Program ◽  
Contextual Data ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
The Right ◽  
Support Housing

Abstract The Aging in the Right Place Environmental Audit (AIRP-ENV) and Secondary Observation (AIRP-ENV-SO) tools were developed to conduct observation-based audit of the built environment in shelters, transitional housing, independent housing with offsite/onsite supports, and permanent supportive housing with onsite medical and/or specialized services for older adults experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness. The 241 item AIRP-ENV tool is used to audit the presence/absence of exterior and interior built environmental features that support housing stability. The seven open-ended questions in the AIRP-ENV-SO tool is used to collect contextual data on function, safety and land-use of surrounding neighborhood. Data were collected at four sites of a transitional housing program in Vancouver, Canada as part of a multi-year, multi-city partnership project on aging and homelessness. Preliminary results demonstrate that built environment and urban design features (e.g., access, privacy, flexible and supportive spaces) contribute towards tenants’ residential resiliency and aging in place.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing the Shelter and Housing Needs and Solutions of Older People Experiencing Homelessness

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 707-708
Author(s):  
Sarah Canham ◽  
Joe Humphries
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Specific Support ◽  
Housing Needs ◽  
The Right ◽  
Housing Options

Abstract Newly and chronically homeless older adults have unique pathways into homelessness and distinct physical, mental, and social needs. Using a five-step process, we conducted a scoping review of primary research to investigate the needs and solutions for sheltering/housing older people experiencing homelessness (OPEH). Thematic analysis of data from 19 sources revealed 1) shelter/housing needs and challenges of newly vs. chronically homeless older adults; 2) existing shelter/housing solutions addressing the needs of OPEH, including Housing First, permanent supportive housing, and multiservice homelessness intervention programs; and 3) outcomes of rehousing OPEH. Following, we developed a conceptual model which outlines how unique health and psychosocial needs of newly and chronically homeless older adults can be met through appropriately-designed shelter/housing solutions with individualized levels of senior-specific support. Future shelter/housing initiatives and strategies should use a rights-based approach and prioritize matching diverse OPEH needs to appropriate shelter/housing options that will support their ability to age-in-the-right-place. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Environmental Gerontology Interest Group.

scholarly journals Evaluating Spaces for Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness: Findings From an Environmental Audit

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 292-293
Author(s):  
Émilie Cormier ◽  
Diandra Serrano ◽  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Tamara Sussman ◽  
Valérie Bourgeois-Guerin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Environmental Audit ◽  
Promising Practices ◽  
Overall Design ◽  
Life Trajectories ◽  
Recreation Opportunities ◽  
Nuanced Understanding ◽  
The Right

Abstract Homeless populations require spaces and services that take into account their life trajectories. The Aging in the Right Place - Environmental Checklist (AIRP-ENV) is an environmental audit tool developed by our team to evaluate the accessibility and overall design features of housing targeted for aging individuals experiencing homelessness. Researchers in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal employed this tool in 2021 to evaluate environmental features in selected promising practices to identify built environment factors that promote aging in the right place. Preliminary findings reveal the following themes across sites: access to communal and recreational spaces encourage social inclusion and meaningful recreation opportunities; barrier-free built environment features foster independence and safety; and access to services and amenities encourage community mobility. Findings demonstrate a need to employ a broader evaluative lens that incorporates psycho-social factors to gain a nuanced understanding of aging in the right place for older adults who have experienced homelessness.

scholarly journals Shelter and Housing Options, Supports, and Interventions for Older People Experiencing Homelessness

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 708-708
Author(s):  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Joe Humphries ◽  
Piper Moore ◽  
Victoria Burns ◽  
Sarah Canham
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Transitional Housing ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Right ◽  
First Time ◽  
Housing Options

Abstract While older people experiencing homelessness (OPEH) can have life histories of homelessness or experience homelessness for the first time in later life, understandings of shelter/housing models that meet diverse needs of this population are limited. We conducted a scoping review of the international literature on shelter/housing models available to support OPEH. Through an iterative process of reading and rereading 24 sources (published 1999-2019), findings were organized into 5 categories of shelter/housing models that have been developed to support OPEH: 1) Permanent supportive housing (PSH), including PSH delivered through Housing First, 2) Transitional housing, 3) Shelter settings with medical supports, 4) Drop-in centers, and 5) Case management and outreach. Findings expand our understanding of how a continuum of shelter/housing options are needed to support distinct health and housing needs of diverse OPEH. Policy and practice implications related to integrating health and social care to support OPEH to age-in-the-right-place will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Environmental Gerontology Interest Group.

scholarly journals Temporary Housing for Older People: Addressing Housing Insecurity to Promote Aging in the Right Place

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 293-293
Author(s):  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Holly Lemme ◽  
Gelareh Modara ◽  
Emily Lam ◽  
Maria Juanita Mora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older People ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Housing Unit ◽  
Temporary Housing ◽  
Housing Program ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
Housing Security ◽  
The Right

Abstract The Aging in the Right Place (AIRP) project is a multi-year, multi-city partnership grant on aging, housing insecurity and homelessness. This paper presents findings from provider/staff interviews (N=5) at a Temporary Housing Program (THP) serving older people experiencing (or at risk of) homelessness (OPEH) in Vancouver, Canada. The researchers sought to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the program, scale-up (i.e., policies) and/or scale out impacts (i.e., on people and communities), as well as how the program promotes housing security and stability for OPEH. Narrative data reveals the program provided housing stability to OPEH by offering increased access to resources (food, pharmaceutical, transportation, social support and engagement). Additionally, through the promotion of client autonomy, privacy and security in their housing unit, the organization and staff work to support and foster AIRP among their clients and help to transform a temporary housing space into a secure home-type setting.

The Missing Dimension in the Built Environment: A Challenge for the 21st Century

1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66
Author(s):  
Leo R. Zrudlo
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Modern Architecture ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Spiritual Dimension ◽  
Unity In Diversity ◽  
The Creation ◽  
City Design

This article addresses architects, planners, and developers but should also interest any other professionals involved in the creation of the built environment. It begins by stating that the built environment is principally made up of buildings and groupings of buildings. Therefore, architecture and urban design are the major focus of the article. Definitions of architecture are then presented from a variety of authors and architects. An argument is made that there actually is a missing dimension in the built environment illustrated by quotations from architects, architectural theorists, amid critics. It becomes evident that architecture is unable to satisfy the emotional and aesthetic needs of people and also that the profession itself, which admits that modern architecture has created bleak and insensitive environments, is in profound disagreement on how to rectify the situation. Under the heading “Architecture–The Object” arguments for and against different architectural movements or stylistic tendencies are highlighted by quotations from the proponents of tile various styles and theories. A similar approach is taken for cities under the heading “Urban Design–The Juxtaposition of Objects.” The fact that something is missing from architectural and city design is concluded, and examples of a preoccupation for the spiritual aspect of architecture and urban design are used to illustrate this growing concern for a dimension that has been much neglected in tile previous several decades. The notion of “spiritual” is then defined, followed by a list of spiritual qualities. Two important principles, unity in diversity and consultation are discussed before presenting some concluding thoughts on how the designers of the built environment can begin finding ways of infusing their designs with a spiritual dimension.

Travel by Design

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon Boarnet ◽  
Randall C. Crane
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
New Urbanism ◽  
Neighborhood Design ◽  
Transportation Problems ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
The Right ◽  
Livable Communities

Can transportation problems be fixed by the right neighborhood design? The tremendous popularity of the "new urbanism" and "livable communities" initiatives suggests that many persons think so. As a systematic assessment of attempts to solve transportation problems through urban design, this book asks and answers three questions: Can such efforts work? Will they be put into practice? Are they a good idea?

scholarly journals 31.B. Workshop: Public health and urban design: an interdisciplinary approach to promote autism friendly environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Urban Design ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Autism is a set of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental conditions, characterised by early-onset difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour and interests. The worldwide population prevalence is about 1% with an increasing incidence and prevalence rates. Autism affects more male than female individuals, and comorbidity is common (>70% have concurrent conditions). Determinants of these changes in incidence and prevalence rates may also be related to exposure to environmental factors and to modifications in diagnostic concepts and criteria. In spite of the uncertainty in determinants of incidence of autisms, there is evidence that environmental characteristics play a significant role both as autism risk factors and as potential obstacles that influence the capabilities of autonomously and fully “using” everyday spaces. The workshop aims to provide a framework on risk factors of autism and explore the relationship with the built environment, focusing on the quality of the everyday spaces and projecting the effects that it could have in the long term on achieving a desirable level of quality of life. The 11th Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” underlines the necessity of designing policies and projects acting to enhance and promote healthy cities and communities by addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups of inhabitants. Herewith we bring together the discipline of Public Health and Urban Design to promote an interdisciplinary debate on a little explored topic investigating how the approaches adopted during childhood to promote the wellbeing of people with ASD can be related or strengthen by focusing also on built environment design intervention to pursue and reach the same objectives even during adulthood. The workshop will consist of four presentations. The first focuses on giving an overview on current knowledge of intervention for people with autism, presenting also criteria for evidence-based interventions. The second explores the relationship between autism and built environment by providing an exhaustive framework of the available research literature in order to identify a first set of spatial requirements for autism friendly cities. The third examines the impact of built environment on ASD users with the aim of developing a specific evaluation tool for healthcare spaces and best practices formulation according to the specific sensorial hypo- or hyper-activation of people with autism. Finally, the fourth reports the results of a two years Research & Development project called “GAP REDUCE” finalized at developing an Assistive Technology tool to support people with ASD, adult and high-functioning, to plan urban itineraries towards daily destinations. Key messages World's incidence of autism is about 1% with an increasing incidence whose determining rates may also be related to environmental factors and to modifications in diagnostic concepts and criteria. Environmental characteristics play a significant role also as potential obstacles that influence the capabilities of people with autism of autonomously and fully “using” everyday spaces.

Housing Matters, Services Might: Findings from the High Needs Families Program Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 693 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-229
Author(s):  
Debra J. Rog ◽  
Kathryn A. Henderson ◽  
Clara A. Wagner ◽  
Emily L. Abbruzzi
Keyword(s):  
Support Services ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Subsidized Housing ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Intensive Case Management ◽  
Access To Services ◽  
Supportive Services ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
The Past ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness—typically, subsidized housing that is not time limited and provides access to a range of support services—has substantially increased over the past 10 years, despite an absence of rigorous evidence of its effectiveness. We examine the benefits of subsidized housing with supportive services compared to subsidized housing alone. Our findings suggest that supportive housing offers more opportunities for access to services and benefits than subsidized housing alone, but it may not be beneficial to families’ housing stability or to family members’ employment or involvement with the criminal justice system. We argue that housing that is coupled with intensive case management, that is service rich, and that provides and adheres to harm reduction principles may help to strengthen supportive housing’s effectiveness.

Perceptions of the Neighborhood Built Environment for Walking Behavior in Older Adults Living in Close Proximity

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482097925
Author(s):  
Florian Herbolsheimer ◽  
Atiya Mahmood ◽  
Nadine Ungar ◽  
Yvonne L. Michael ◽  
Frank Oswald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Walking Behavior ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
Pedestrian Infrastructure ◽  
Neighborhood Built Environment

Past research documents a discordance between perceived and objectively assessed neighborhood environmental features on walking behavior. Therefore, we examined differences in the perception of the same neighborhood built environment. Participants were grouped if they lived 400 m or closer to each other. The perception of the pedestrian infrastructure, neighborhood aesthetics, safety from crime, and safety from traffic was derived from a telephone survey from two North American metropolitan areas; 173 individuals were clustered into 42 groups. Older adults who walked for transport in their neighborhood experienced the same neighborhood as more walkable (β = .19; p = .011) with better pedestrian infrastructure (β = .16; p = .037). Older adults with physical limitations experienced the same neighborhood as less safe from crime (β = −.17; p = .030) and traffic (β = −.20; p = .009). The study supports the notion that individual behavior and physical restrictions alter the environment’s perception and explains part of the discordance between objective and subjective assessment of the neighborhood environment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document