Maybe on my Street

Abstract

The increasing deinstitutionalization of the mentally disabled has instigated research on neighborhood receptivity to this group. Using a random household sample from a midwestern Canadian city, we investigate the contribution of neighborhood types and individual characteristics in predicting the likelihood of supportive or opposing political responses from residents. Overall, twice as many respondents consider the placement of community mental health facilities in their neighborhood as desirable compared to those considering such facilities undesirable. Neighborhood types, however, are not particularly good predictors of attitudes or intended political actions. Supporters of such facilities consistently are more likely than those opposed to report a willingness to take political action consistent with their viewpoint.