An Action-Oriented Assessment of the Housing and Social Support Needs of Long-Term Psychiatric Clients

Abstract

This paper describes the context and process, as well as the content, of an assessment of the housing and social support needs of long-term psychiatric clients in a community. The principles of the ecological perspective were used as a framework for conceptualizing and analyzing the data. Using key informant interviews, community forums, and a survey of the clients, it was found that a visible minority of the population has significant housing problems and lacks adequate aftercare and supervision. The ways in which the data have been utilized are described, along with directions for further action.