Exploration of the Independent Housing Experience of People with Mental Illness in a Community

Purpose: This study aims to explore the independent housing experiences of people with mental illness who receive supported independent housing services provided by the public sector.Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interviews. Twelve participants, who had been living independently in the community for around 11 months, were included. A qualitative descriptive method and a content analysis method were applied.Results: Independent housing experiences of people with mental illness were classified into the following four domains: house effect, growth, challenges and limitations, relationships, and support. Eleven categories included the starting point of life, environmental & psychological comfort, inspire independence and confidence, recognition of goals and responsibilities, positive self-awareness, psychological difficulties, immaturity of daily coping, unstable self-protection, relationship improvement, and importance of support resources.Conclusion: For successful community integration of mentally disabled people, continuous legal institutional preparation for stable housing, government active interest, and flexible financial support are needed. In addition to housing support, a recovery-based independent housing case management model needs to be developed for successful maintenance of independent living. We also suggest a study on the effectiveness of independent housing to determine evidence for making a policy.

Asumispalvelujen hankinnan kehykset

Artikkelissa tarkastellaan, millaisia tavoitteita kunnalliset tilaajat asettavat asumispalveluille. Millaisia tilaamisen viitekehyksiä on tunnistettavissa asumispalvelujen tilaajien teemahaastattelujen perusteella? Analyysin tuloksena tunnistetaan kolme kehystä: julkishallinnollinen vahvan ohjauksen, tuotteistukseen ohjaava ja markkinaehtoinen vahvan ohjauksen kehys. Kehyksiä yhdistää se, ettei hankintaosaamiseen sisälly riittävää ymmärrystä tilattavista palveluista ja tuotteista. Tilaajien tavoitteiden saavuttaminen edellyttäisi asiantuntemuksen uutta jäsentämistä. Palvelun käyttäjien itsenäisen asumisen ja elämän sekä henkilöstön asumisen tuen asiantuntemusta tarvitaan palvelujen tilaamisessa ja näin ollen myös sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon uudistuksessa – esimerkiksi artikkelissa luonnostellun neljännen, yhteistoiminnallisen kehyksen mukaisesti. Kilpailutus ei ole toimiva väline asumispalvelujen tilaamisessa. Sen merkitystä palvelujen laadun, kustannustehokkuuden ja tuloksellisuuden saavuttamisessa on yliarvioitu. Kilpailutus ei ole suoraan vaikuttanut palvelujen laadun eikä palvelujen käyttäjien aseman kohentumiseen, mihin yhteistoiminnallinen kehys antaa uusia mahdollisuuksia. Avainasemassa on tilaajien aloitteellisuus. Julkisen ohjauksen tehtävänä on velvoittaa kaikkia asianosaisryhmiä tyydyttävään yhteistoimintaan. Abstract Frameworks of Commissioning Residential Facilities for Mental Health and Drug Service Users. In Search of a Collaborative Framework This article analyzes the goals that commissioners of residential facilities for mental health and drug service users try to achieve. Are there specific frameworks of commissioning which can be recognized from analysis of interviews with commissioners? The research material used in this analysis is based on field work in three different parts of Finland. The article recognizes three frameworks of public steering: a strong traditional commissioning; a new model for commodification of services and a strong market based commissioning. The critical common denominator of these frameworks is that the commissioners do not have adequate understanding of the services and the contexts of service provision which they are obliged to commission and purchase. To achieve the goals set by the commissioners, a new model of collaborative framework is duly required – this framework puts stronger emphasis on the expertises of users and ground floor staff. The commissioners play a key role in forming new alliances between private and other service providers, the ground floor staff, the service users and other stakeholders. Keywords: commissioning, housing services for mental health and drug service users, collaborative framework

The Best Thresholds for Rapid Identification of Episodic and Chronic Homeless Shelter Use

This paper explores how to best identify clients for housing services based on their homeless shelter access patterns. We utilize the number of shelter stays and episodes of shelter use for a client within a specified time window. Thresholds are then applied to these values to determine if that individual is a good candidate for housing support. Using new housing referral impact metrics, we explore a range of threshold and time window values to determine which combination both maximizes impact and identifies good candidates for housing as soon as possible. New insights are also provided regarding the characteristics of the “under-the-radar” client group who are typically not identified for housing support.

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination among Veterans Experiencing Homelessness

Sufficient uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is key to slowing the spread of the coronavirus among the most vulnerable in society, including individuals experiencing homelessness. However, COVID-19 vaccination rates among the Veteran homeless population are currently unknown. This study examines the COVID-19 vaccination rate among homeless Veterans who receive care at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the factors that are associated with vaccine uptake. Using VA administrative and clinical data, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the sociodemographic, health-related, and healthcare and housing services utilization factors that influenced COVID-19 vaccine uptake during the first eight months of the vaccine rollout (December 2020–August 2021). Of the 83,528 Veterans experiencing homelessness included in the study, 45.8% were vaccinated for COVID-19. Non-white, older Veterans (65+), females, those who received the seasonal flu vaccine, and Veterans with multiple comorbidities and mental health conditions were more likely to be vaccinated. There was a strong association between COVID-19 vaccination and Veterans who utilized VA healthcare and housing services. VA healthcare and homeless service providers are particularly well-positioned to provide trusted information and overcome access barriers for homeless Veterans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Improving student housing services at Umm Al-Qura University: A proposed perception: تحسين خدمات الإسكان الطلابي بجامعة أم القري: تصور مقترح

The study aimed to identify the reality of the services provided by Umm Al-Qura University to its students in the field of student housing, and to provide a proposed vision for the development of student housing service at Umm Al-Qura University in light of global experiences. The study used the descriptive and analytical method. The study population consisted of university housing students (scholarships students) at Umm Al-Qura University, and the sample size reached 104 students. The researcher used the questionnaire as a study tool. Among the most important findings of the study: There is great satisfaction on the part of the housing students on the housing administration’s dealings with students. The results showed the students' need to hold open dialogue meetings with the housing administration to exchange experiences, transfer expertise and experiences, and listen to different points of view through the establishment of trips and entertainment tours, there are places in the housing for the practice of various student activities. Among the most important findings of the study: Building additional housing units, taking into account when designing, increasing the size of apartments and rooms, establishing a public park around student housing to increase the percentage of oxygen and in order to become an outlet for students' free time, establish communication channels between students and the administration of student housing after the student’s graduation from the university, to benefit from the multinationality through language courses and cultural

Qualitative findings from a Housing First evaluation project for homeless Veterans in Canada

LAY SUMMARY This two-year study implemented a Housing First approach among homelessness services for Veterans in four cities across Canada (Victoria, Calgary, London, and Toronto). This approach included peer support and harm reduction resources for Veterans. To obtain a detailed evaluation of personal experiences and opinions, focus groups were held with Veterans, housing staff, and stakeholders at three time points during the study: July-September 2012, May-June 2013, and January 2014. Harm reduction and peer support were regarded as positive aspects of this new approach to housing and homelessness. It was suggested that greater mental health support, support from peers with military experience, and issues regarding roommates should be considered in future implementations of housing services for Veterans. It was also noted that to support personal stabilization, permanent housing is preferred over transitional or temporary housing. Future housing programs serving Veterans experiencing homelessness should consider the addition of harm reduction and peer support to further enhance services and help maintain housing stability.

Problems of the reliability of water supply and wastewater disposal systems, and ways of solution

Надежность и экологическая безопасность являются основными требованиями, предъявляемыми к системам водоснабжения и водоотведения. Трубопроводные системы – неотъемлемая часть инфраструктуры современных городов. Нарушения нормального уровня работы этих систем связаны в основном с авариями (отказами) на участках трубопроводов – наиболее функционально значимых, дорогостоящих и уязвимых элементов систем. Нарастающие темпы износа и неудовлетворительное техническое состояние значительного количества трубопроводов водоснабжения и водоотведения большинства городов и поселений России, ограничение в условиях реформирования жилищно-коммунального хозяйства России материальных ресурсов на их восстановление и обновление требуют научно обоснованного подхода к решению проблемы оценки и обеспечения их надежности. Отмечено, что до настоящего времени в отечественной практике накопление и использование статистических материалов, необходимых для определения показателей надежности элементов систем водоснабжения и водоотведения, а также планирование их восстановления организованы неудовлетворительно. Приведены методы оценки надежности трубопроводов, методика планирования их восстановления с использованием компъютерной программы, критерии выбора объектов восстановления трубопроводов и пути повышения их надежности. Reliability and environmental safety are the main requirements for water supply and wastewater disposal systems. Pipeline systems are an integral part of the infrastructure of modern cities. Malfunctions of these systems are mainly associated with failures in pipeline sections, that are the most functionally significant, expensive and vulnerable elements of the systems. The increasing rates of wear and unsatisfactory technical condition of a significant number of water pipelines and sewers in most cities and communities of Russia, the limited material resources for their rehabilitation and renovation in the context of reforming the housing services and public utilities of Russia require a scientifically based approach to solving the problem of assessing and ensuring their reliability. It is noted that up to now, in domestic practice, the accumulation and use of statistics for determining the reliability indicators of the elements of water supply and wastewater disposal systems, as well as planning their rehabilitation, have been arranged unsatisfactorily. Methods for assessing the reliability of pipelines, a methodology for planning their rehabilitation using a software application, criteria for selecting objects for pipeline renovation and ways to improve their reliability are presented.

Formation of the Housing Services Affordability Mechanism in Russia in the Context of Digitalization and Digital Transformation

The article presents the results of a long-term study of the housing services affordability mechanism to the needy. As a result of this research, the concept of socially significant categories of citizens was introduced into scientific circulation, as well as the mechanism of state and entrepreneurial (innovative) activity formation was revealed. This activity was formed during the last few years in the context of digitalization and digital transformation and has received a steady development vector.