Housing, Citizenship, and Communities for People with Serious Mental Illness Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy Perspectives

Housing has emerged as a popular and central topic of research, mental health system development, and social and mental health policy in recent years. The field has rapidly evolved in a number of ways: first, with the introduction and popularization of the Housing First approach; second, there are now a growing number of randomized controlled studies to evaluate the lives of people living in this housing; and third, there is increasing recognition of housing as a cornerstone of mental health policy and community mental health systems.

Housing, Citizenship, and Communities for People with Serious Mental Illness provides the first comprehensive overview of the field. The book covers theory, research, practice, and policy issues related to the provision of housing and the supports that people rely on to get and keep their housing. A special focus is given to issues of citizenship and community life as key outcomes for people with serious mental illness who live in community housing. The book is grounded in the values, research traditions, and conceptual tools of community psychology. This provides a unique lens through which to view the field. It emphasizes housing not only as a component of community mental health systems but also as an instrument for promoting citizenship, social inclusion, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized people. It serves as a resource for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers looking for up-to-date reviews and perspectives on this field, as well as a sourcebook for current and future research and practice trends.

John Sylvestre, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Director of the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa. His interests lie in the study and the evaluation of community mental health programs and systems, with a focus on housing for people with serious mental illness.

Geoffrey Nelson, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and a faculty member in the graduate program in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario. His research and practice has focused on community mental health programs and supports for people with serious mental illness and community-based prevention programs for children and families.

Tim Aubry, Ph.D., is Professor in the School of Psychology and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa. He is currently holder of the Faculty of Social Sciences Research Chair in Community Mental Health and Homelessness. Dr. Aubry has collaborated on research projects with community organizations and government at all levels, contributing to the development of effective social programs and policies.

Series Foreword by Nicole E. Allen and Bradley Olson

Acknowledgments

About the Editors

About the Contributors

Introduction

SECTION I: Overview of History and Housing Approaches for People with Serious Mental Illness

Chapter 1. The Evolution of Housing for People with Serious Mental Illness
Geoffrey Nelson and Timothy MacLeod

Chapter 2. Housing Models for People with Serious Mental Illness: Unpacking Custodial and Supportive Housing Models
Geoffrey Nelson and Rachel Caplan

Chapter 3. Community-based Support in the Context of Housing: A Review of Models and Evidence
Tim Aubry, Rebecca Cherner, John Ecker, and Stephanie Yamin

Chapter 4. Economic Analysis of Housing Interventions for People with Serious Mental Illness Who Are Homeless: A Review of the Literature
Tim Aubry, Jennifer Rae, and Jonathan Jetté

SECTION II: Housing Theory and Research Methods

Chapter 5. Theory and Research on Housing Programs for People with Serious Mental Illness
Geoffrey Nelson and Timothy MacLeod

Chapter 6. Theory and Research on the Social Context of Housing: Policy and Planning, Informal Systems, and the Geo-social Environment
Geoffrey Nelson and Timothy MacLeod

Chapter 7. The Contributions of the Concept of Citizenship to Housing Practice, Policy and Research
John Sylvestre

Chapter 8. Expanding Methodological Options for Housing Research
John Sylvestre, Amandeep Bassi, and Katherine Bendell

SECTION III: International Perspectives on Housing Policy for People with Serious Mental Illness

Chapter 9. The Primacy of Research: Getting to Housing First in the United States, A Policymaker's Perspective
Philip Mangano

Chapter 10. Mental Health Housing Policy in Canada
John Trainor, Susan Eckerle Curwood, Reena Sirohi, and Nick Kerman

Chapter 11. What Do We Mean by Housing First? Considering the Significance of Variations in Housing First Services in the European Union
Nicholas Pleace and Joanne Bretherton

Chapter 12. Housing for Australians with Serious Mental Illness
Shannon McDermott

SECTION IV: Views from the Frontline

Chapter 13. Views from the Frontline: Tenants' Reflections on Housing
Ken Wireman

Chapter 14. Reflections on Providing Single-Site Supportive Housing
Lorraine Bentley and John Sylvestre

Chapter 15. Frontline Practice in Housing First Programs
Benjamin F. Henwood and Emmy Tiderington

Chapter 16. Landlords and Independent Supportive Housing
Timothy MacLeod, Tim Aubry, Geoffrey Nelson, Henri Dorvil, Scott McCullough, and Patricia O'Campo

SECTION V: Conclusions and Reflections

Chapter 17. Housing, Citizenship and Communities for People with Serious Mental Illness: Reflections and Future Directions
John Sylvestre