Abstract
Introduction: Literature has established a bidirectional relationship between housing stability and mental health. Globally, there is a lack of affordable, safe, and appropriate housing for people with mental illness, and Canada is no exception. The current study explored the views of home staff on their experiences regarding the process of modernizing group homes (Community Homes for Opportunity [CHO]). It provided recommendations for further improvement of the implementation process.Method: We used ethnographic techniques to purposefully recruit 51 home staff from 28 group homes in Southwest Ontario, Canada. Focus group discussions were conducted at two‐time points (baseline: spring 2018 and postimplementation: winter 2019).Results: Data analysis produced four major themes. These include a general impression of the modernization process, facilitators, challenges to the implementation, and suggestions for improving the modernization program.Conclusion: Group homes such as CHO positively impact the well‐being and quality of life of persons with mental health and addiction problems while enhancing their independence and social integration for improved recovery outcomes.
Funder
Ministry of Health, British Columbia
Reference23 articles.
1. Models of Housing in the Quebec Setting for Individuals With Mental Illness
2. Tenant perspectives on the implementation of the community homes for opportunity: a focused ethnographic study in Southwestern Ontario
3. SirotichF. DurbinA. SuttorG. UmS. G. andFangL. Seeking supportive housing: characteristics needs and outcomes of applicants to the access point 2018 Access Point Toronto.https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Access-Point-Waiting-List-Analysis-Full-Report.pdf.