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Supported Housing in a Small Community: Effects on Consumers, Suggestions for Change

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
8 December 2014

Abstract

We explore the effects of supported housing on the quality of life and recovery of consumers in a rural community, and also explore how this housing approach could be improved. Data were collected from 16 tenants involved in Supported Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness (SHIMI), located in Nova Scotia. The following themes were identified in the analysis: support, security, normalcy and integration, stability and control, and recovery. Suggestions for improvement include fostering a stronger system of supports, coordinating initiatives to reduce the living costs and build the assets of tenants, and having greater consumer involvement in the initiative.

Résumé

Nous examinons les effets d'un programme de logement avec services de soutien sur la qualité de vie et le rétablissement des bénéficiaires qui vivent dans un milieu rural, et examinons la manière dont ce programme pourrait être amélioré selon les bénéficiaires. Les données ont été recueillies auprès de 16 locataires du Supported Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness (SHIMI) en Nouvelle-Écosse. Les thèmes suivants ont été dégagés après analyse: soutien, sécurité, normalité et intégration, stabilité et contrôle, et rétablissement. Les suggestions pour améliorer l'initiative comprenaient: favoriser un système de services de soutien plus solide; coordonner les initiatives pour réduire les frais de subsistance et bâtir les actifs des locataires; et stimuler une plus grande participation des bénéficiaires dans la gestion et le contrôle de l'initiative.

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References

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 33Number 3December 2014
Pages: 57 - 69

History

Version of record online: 8 December 2014

Key Words

  1. supported housing
  2. rural
  3. Nova Scotia

Mots-clés

  1. Logement avec services de soutien
  2. rural
  3. Nouvelle-Écosse

Authors

Affiliations

Catherine Leviten-Reid
Cape Breton University
Pamela Johnson
St. Francis Xavier University
Michael Miller

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