What is the Problem of Homelessness in Japan? Conceptualisation, Research, and Policy Response

The definition of homelessness and the policies responding to it differ from society to society, as does understanding a state of being "homeless", all of which are socially constructed. Because in Japan today homelessness is perceived only as a situation of sleeping on the street, the prevalence is perceived as low. However, this definition is narrow compared to what, for example, FEANTSA has proposed in Europe. Therefore, Japanese policy and policy makers need to shift to be congruent with international standards. To begin this shift we need to understand how the "narrow" perception of homelessness in Japan has been constructed. Therefore, in this paper a historical review is provided starting on the premise of the "loss of home" of Japanese society after World War II, the rapid increase of "visible homelessness" since the 1990s, the enactment of formal homelessness law, and rising "visible homelessness". More recently there is also expanded interest in "invisible homelessness" due to current homelessness research. The issue of lack of a public housing allowance and limited public housing is explored connected to an absence of housing policy. Finally, the Covid-19 pandemic has increased anxiety about the loss of homes and there is a need to shift homelessness measures into housing policy.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Role of Housing in the Decision to Leave Abusive Relationship

This qualitative Action Research explored the role of safe and affordable housing in women's decision to leave an abusive relationship. Six survivors of domestic violence shared the challenges they experienced in searching, obtaining and sustaining alternative accommodation that is safe, permanent and affordable. The research findings indicate many factors may cause women to remain in such a relationship, such as isolation, financial dependency, fear of harm to loved ones and lack of social support. Nonetheless, participants reported unaffordable housing as the primary barrier on their ability to successfully exit the relationship. For many, it was either remaining in the abusive home or forsaking their home to escape abuse which became a critical decision. While women’s shelter may provide immediate safety, effective and holistic housing policy, programs, and services are needed to support women to leave abusive relationships. Increased housing allowance for survivors, more affordable housing stock, public education on domestic violence and employment opportunity may increase women's ability to successfully exit abusive relationship.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Role of Housing in the Decision to Leave Abusive Relationship

This qualitative Action Research explored the role of safe and affordable housing in women's decision to leave an abusive relationship. Six survivors of domestic violence shared the challenges they experienced in searching, obtaining and sustaining alternative accommodation that is safe, permanent and affordable. The research findings indicate many factors may cause women to remain in such a relationship, such as isolation, financial dependency, fear of harm to loved ones and lack of social support. Nonetheless, participants reported unaffordable housing as the primary barrier on their ability to successfully exit the relationship. For many, it was either remaining in the abusive home or forsaking their home to escape abuse which became a critical decision. While women’s shelter may provide immediate safety, effective and holistic housing policy, programs, and services are needed to support women to leave abusive relationships. Increased housing allowance for survivors, more affordable housing stock, public education on domestic violence and employment opportunity may increase women's ability to successfully exit abusive relationship.

Cantonment of troops and housing service in Belarus (mid 1850s – mid 1870s)

The article reveals the essence of one of the phenomena of the era of Alexander’s reforms which on the scale of the Russian Empire was most common in Belarus but until now has not become the subject of research by Belarusian historians. According to the sources identified in the archives and book repositories of Belarus, Russia, Lithuania the military post due to the special geostrategic position of the Belarusian provinces in the mid 1850s – mid 1870s was an integral attribute of the daily life of hundreds of thousands of their inhabitants. In the present study is the first to assess the extent of involvement of the population in Belarusian provinces in support of troops of the Russian Empire housing allowance, sets out the principles and forms of army civilian infrastructure and food within the housing service, the role of local civil administration and selfgovernment in the cantonment of the troops on the ground. For the first time most of the used ones are mentioned.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND INTER-GROUP BEHAVIOUR IN GUARANTY TRUST BANK IN NIGERIA

The study empirically investigates organizational culture and inter-group behaviour in Guaranty trust bank in Nigeria. Primary data was used for the study and the data for analysis was gotten through questionnaire. The questionnaire was issued to the staff of Guarantee Trust Bank in Rivers State. The data was analyzed with the use of Chi-square in other to measure the discrepancies existing between the observed and expected frequency and to proof the level of significance in testing stated hypotheses. From the result of the study, it was discovered that organizational culture has significant influence on inter-group behaviour. Therefore, the study recommends that Guarantee Trust Bank should encourage new entrants to get internalize first with the bank’s culture to know whether they can cope with them or not. Additionally, organizations should provide adequate motivational factors like housing allowance, car loan, holiday allowance, health allowance, etc.

Community health workers for pandemic response: a rapid evidence synthesis

IntroductionCoronavirus disease (COVID-19), affects 213 countries or territories globally. We received a request from National Health Systems Resource Centre, a public agency in India, to conduct rapid evidence synthesis (RES) on community health workers (CHWs) for COVID-19 prevention and control in 3 days.MethodsWe searched PubMed, websites of ministries (n=3), public agencies (n=6), multilateral institutions (n=3), COVID-19 resource aggregators (n=5) and preprints (n=1) (without language restrictions) for articles on CHWs in pandemics. Two reviewers screened the records independently with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. One reviewer extracted data with another reviewer cross-checking it. A framework on CHW performance in primary healthcare not specific to pandemic was used to guide data extraction and narrative analysis.ResultsWe retrieved 211 records and finally included 36 articles. Most of the evidence was from low-and middle-income countries with well-established CHW programmes. Evidence from CHW programmes initiated during pandemics and for CHW involvement in pandemic response in high-income countries was scant. CHW roles and tasks change substantially during pandemics. Clear guidance, training for changed roles and definition of what constitutes essential activities (ie, those that must to be sustained) is required. Most common additional activities during pandemics were community awareness, engagement and sensitisation (including for countering stigma) and contact tracing. CHWs were reported to be involved in all aspects of contact tracing - this was reported to affect routine service delivery. CHWs have often been stigmatised or been socially ostracised during pandemics. Providing PPE, housing allowance, equal training opportunities, transportation allowance, improving salaries (paid on time and for a broad range of services) and awards in high-profile public events contributed to better recruitment and retention. We also created inventories of resources with guiding notes on guidelines for health workers (n=24), self-isolation in the community (n=10) and information, education and counselling materials on COVID-19 (n=16).ConclusionsCHWs play a critical role in pandemics. It is important to ensure role clarity, training, supportive supervision, as well as their work satisfaction, health and well-being. More implementation research on CHWs in pandemics is required.