Conceptions of housing problems facing people with a psychiatric disability across mental health, disability and housing policy networks in South Australia (2000-2005) (original) (raw)
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The influence of service users and NGOs on housing for people with psychiatric disability
2009
"This paper reports on a case study which examined mental health service users and carers, public housing tenants and non-government organisations' (NGO) participation and representation within policy processes. A particular focus was influence upon policies aimed at achieving housing outcomes for people with a psychiatric disability. The research was a case study of a period of mental health system reform in South Australia (2000-2005) and involved primarily qualitative research; interviews, focus groups and participant observation, as well as document analysis. Participants (n = 92) included service user and carer representatives, public servants from across the health, housing and disability sectors, and NGO professionals from across sectors. The study found that the community participation that existed during the reform period was largely an end in itself rather than a means for groups to shape policy processes, including housing policy. A number of barriers to service users and NGOs influencing policy agenda setting and implementation were determined and described. A range of strategies and processes to enhance community participation, representation and accountability in policy processes are recommended. These include cross-sectoral policy development and accountability mechanisms, advocacy coalitions across sectors for policy agenda setting, public forums involving both service users and professionals, and challenging 'consumerist' discourses on participation. Such strategies could facilitate policy debates on housing for people with a psychiatric disability, counter dominant professional interests within policy networks, and help to address community stigma."
Social Science & Medicine, 2010
This paper uses data from a South Australian case study of a period of mental health reform (2000–2005) to answer the question of how different policy networks set agenda and implement policy to ensure that people with psychiatric disabilities have access to appropriate housing. Qualitative methods were used, including interviews (n = 31) and focus groups (n = 8) with non-government organisations (NGOs), consumers and carers and professionals from health, disability and housing sectors, and participant observation with South Australian NGOs (n = 52). These data were supported by a thematic analysis of national and State (i.e. South Australian) policies in mental health and housing sectors. The research indicated that, despite a number of ‘inter-sectoral projects’ and regional networks, the health and housing sectors were essentially separate policy systems with little integration. It also concluded that the absence of strategic integration across sectors leads to inadequate housing for people with a psychiatric disability. Research participants considered the need for better collaboration secondary to the need for additional housing and support resources and political commitment to such resources. A number of barriers and enablers to policy agenda setting and collaboration were identified. The paper concludes with a discussion of policy and policy processes which will support housing outcomes for people with psychiatric disability.
2009
This paper is based on research which considered policy processes leading to housing outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities. It examined both intersectoral collaboration between the mental health and housing sectors, and community processes leading to housing outcomes. The previous South Australian mental health reform period (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005) was used as a case study. Qualitative research methods were employed and triangulated across four stages which included; a thematic analysis of national and state policies in health, housing and disability sectors; interviews, focus groups and participant observation with state level NGOs; interviews and focus group with consumer groups; and interviews with professionals from the health, housing and disability sectors. There were 91 participants, including 39 in interviews and focus groups and 52 in participant observation stages. The study pinpointed a number of barriers to ensuring appropriate housing outcomes for people with psychiatric disability, including the neo-liberal policy context, a lack of co-ordination across policy sectors and services, ongoing public sector reform and resistance to deinstitutionalisation.
2010
Introduction Background: This article considers the representation of carers within policy and policy processes across the mental health, housing and disability sectors across a period of mental health reform in South Australia (SA) 2000-2005, and the implications for housing people with psychiatric disability. It draws upon critical policy theory to consider the representation of carers within policy. Methods: The research involved a case study which included interviews, focus groups, document analysis and participant observation, with state-level carer and consumer representatives (n=7), professionals working with service users and carers in state bureaucracy (n=2), NGO professionals (n=10) and public servants from across health, disability and housing sectors (n=20). Results: Carers were represented as 'resources' and people requiring support within national mental health policies, although discussion of rights have often been limited to carers' role within treatment settings. Carer representation within mental health policies failed to recognise the tension between consumer and carer rights and interests (and mutual interests). Carers were largely 'invisible' with housing policy, which had implications for the provision of appropriate housing and support for people with psychiatric disabilities. Consumerist and neo-liberal discourses (including within NGOs) influenced what was being advocated for, and the way in which carers were being recognised and represented within policy debates. Conclusion: Better cross-sectoral recognition is warranted for the role which carers play in housing and associated support for people with psychiatric disability, the impact of caregiving and disability on housing careers and the general implications of neo-liberal housing policy upon caregiving work.
A Place to Call My Own: Identifying Best Practice in Housing and Mental Health
State of Australian Cities …, 2007
Over the past few years, there has been a growing debate in Australian society about the way housing processes can contribute to social exclusion. Despite this debate some commentators argue that Australian housing policy lacks recognition that the issue of deinstitutionalisation is also a rehousing process, which has the potential for achieving social inclusion for people moving into the community. Although housing plays an integral role in deinstitutionalisation, its importance is often submerged and even lost in academic and policy debates about community care in Australia . Yet suitable housing is a key aspect in the community sustainability of deinstitutionalised individuals with psychiatric disability, whereby they can, potentially, be provided with some choice and control over where and with whom they live. Indeed, gaining control over these aspects of life is considered a critical step towards achieving social inclusion. Our research project aims to identify the housing aspirations and preferences of people with psychiatric disability moving from institutional to community care. This paper reports on the first stage of the research, which synthesizes and identifies baseline evidence from the international literature about suitable models of housing and the housing preferences of people with psychiatric disability.
2013
More work needs to be done to support people living with mental illness to sustain social housing tenancies, argues this report. The paper explores the difficulties people with mental illness face accessing and maintaining social housing. The difficulties it identifies include: poor customer service and delayed/inadequate communications from Housing NSW; inappropriate offers of social housing premises that are unsuited to the physical or psychological needs of the applicants; inflexible application of Housing NSW policies in relation to accessing priority status; housing related debts leading to tenancy termination; neighbour disputes.
Social participation, housing, and people with a psychiatric disability
2008
This paper is based on research which considered intersectoral collaboration and community participation in policy processes for housing people with a psychiatric disability,across a period of mental health reform in South Australia (2000-2005). As part of this study, participants were asked about problems and ideal solutions for housing this population group. This article will report on themes emerging from the responses of participants. Key problems in housing identified included access to housing and community based support resources, social isolation and a lack of community engagement, community and neighbourhood stigma, and the skills and attitudes of support workers. The findings had important implications for programmes and strategies. They highlighted the importance of ongoing disability support co-ordinated with housing; training for professionals working with people with psychiatric disability; working with local neighbourhoods and media strategies; developing ‘citizenship goals’ in service frameworks; developing a sense of community amongst residents and ensuring that housing is not geographically isolated.
Australian Journal of Social Issues, 2008
Without appropriate support, people with mental illness can be excluded from stable housing and social and community participation. Transitional models of support for people with acute mental illness have addressed clinical symptoms and hospitalisation, but they have not facilitated stable housing and community integration. In contrast, individualised housing models aim to improve mental health, housing and community outcomes. These programs are costly and require collaboration between agencies. This article discusses the evaluation findings of one such program-the NSW Mental Health Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). The longitudinal mixed-method evaluation assessed whether HASI supported people with high levels of psychiatric disability to improve housing, mental health and community participation. We discuss the challenges clients within the program faced prior to joining HASI and the changes experienced while in HASI. We conclude by drawing policy implications for programs supporting people with mental illness to live in the community.