Housing Situation Research Articles

Housing situation of older adults in a vulnerable neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba. Differences based on skin color, gender and age

PurposeThe Cuban population is going through a process of demographic change and accelerated aging, which, together with a difficult economic situation, places the older adults in a complex economic reality, especially in the most vulnerable communities. This paper aims to analyze the housing situation of the older adults in a vulnerable community in Santiago de Cuba during a period of particular economic difficulty.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyzes the housing situation of a sample of people over 60 years of age (n = 325) in a vulnerable community in the city of Santiago de Cuba. A structured interview was used for data collection.FindingsThe results show that most of the people over 60 years of age interviewed considered their homes to be in a poor state of repair. A significant part of the homes were built with precarious materials and had cracked walls, leaks, problems with the functioning of the toilet, broken pipes, etc. In addition, most of the houses were poorly equipped, with a large number of them lacking refrigerators, cell phones or computers or other electrical appliances (heater, shower, stove, etc.). Women, people with black skin and people over 75 years of age were in a particularly precarious housing situation.Social implicationsDemographic changes and the expected aging of the population in Cuba mean that meeting the needs of the older adults is expected to become increasingly complex. The design of public policies and administrative management should take into consideration the housing needs of people over 60 years of age in vulnerable communities, with special attention to women, racialized people and older adults.Originality/valueThe research was conducted based on the information provided by a particularly vulnerable group in Cuba (older adults), about which there is limited information available, and the data were collected during a particularly challenging time for the Cuban economy: the post-COVID-19 pandemic period. The challenges of conducting research of this nature in Cuba and the period during which data collection took place form the basis of the originality of this manuscript.

Growing Old in the City: Challenges of Access to and Control of Urban Houses among Older Women in Low-income Suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

This study addresses the struggles for housing among older women, including the meaning attached to ownership and control of urban houses among low-income households. It analyses the extent to which older women in low-income suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, can age-in-place. I explain how the ideal of ageing in place for the nineteen women in this research (ages 60 – 90) is dependent on factors such as access to and control of one’s housing situation, which are impacted by whether or not they have good sibling and intergenerational family relationships. Family conflicts and unpleasant interactions with siblings, adult children, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren affect their chances of ageing well in their place of choice forcing some of them to begrudgingly retrace their steps back to the rural areas. These older women are poor and do not have reliable sources of income to look after themselves and the children under their care.

Coping with housing precarity: Roma women’s responses to housing insecurity in the Czech Republic

The article investigates how policies systematically exclude Roma women from accessing decent housing. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldwork with Roma women in Brno, Czech Republic, the study aims to expand the concept of housing precarity along two dimensions: ‘permanent temporality’ and ‘forced urban nomadism’. The research describes key actors and institutions, including the state and its policies, regional, city, and municipal regulations, the housing market, and the rise of private hostels driven by the ‘poverty business’. The study highlights how structural and local conditions shape the housing experiences of Roma families, emphasizing their active role in navigating precarious housing situations. It particularly focuses on the coping strategies of Roma women, such as reliance on multigenerational households and frequent relocations between various types of substandard housing. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about housing by offering a nuanced understanding of how systemic forces and individual strategies interact to produce and perpetuate housing precarity.

The role of noise as part of neighborhood quality and its impact on well-being in German preschoolers: Results from the Equal-Life project

Current research confirms the significant role of environmental quality in children´s well-being and mental health. Respective studies targeting young children focused on characteristics of the families´ immediate housing situation, e.g., household chaos. In the framework of the Equal-Life project, we investigated the relationships between neighborhood quality and mental health in preschoolers (N=111). Data were acquired through parent questionnaires. Stepwise regression analysis identified noise and air pollution as the most important predictors of overall neighborhood quality ratings. As expected, different components of neighborhood quality were significantly correlated, confirming a gap between favorable and unfavorable conditions in children´s environments. All components of neighborhood quality were significantly associated with children´s well-being (KIDSCREEN-10), but stepwise regression analyses identified noise and air pollution as the most important predictors. In contrast, children´s mental health problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) were unrelated to all components of neighborhood quality. Furthermore, lower neighborhood quality was associated with higher parental stress, which in turn was a significant predictor of children´s mental health problems and well-being. These findings underline the interdependencies of psychosocial and physical exposures, and thereby the necessity to adopt an holistic (exposome) approach in order to design environments that foster children´s mental health.

Marital adjustment and marital self-efficacy levels of married individuals based on former university accommodation

The aim of this study to examine the differentiation status of university graduate married individuals in marital adjustment and marital self-efficacy levels in the context of their experiences of living with or apart from the family during their university years. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used to investigate, and the research was designed in a sequential explanatory design. According to this, quantitative data were collected using data collection tools and subsequently qualitative data were obtained through interviews. The findings of the quantitative data obtained from 324 participants (185 females, 140 males) did not indicate a statistically significant difference in terms of marital compatibility and marital self-efficacy based on their housing situations during their university years. In the findings obtained from the qualitative data, gathered from 20 (10 female and 10 male) participants, was determined that the participant's experiences and several factors that make differences in marital adjustment and self-efficacy levels. It appears that the discrepancy in parallelism between the quantitative and qualitative data outcomes may be due to the fact that these results were presented by separate working groups. Application and study suggestions were presented to researchers and field experts in line with the information obtained from the research findings.

Жилищные условия населения г. Тюмени в годы первых пятилеток

An important indicator of the quality of life for the population is the housing situation. The dwelling, in which a significant part of people’s life activities are carried out, and most of their off-duty time passes, serves as a space to meet many needs, including the spiritual development of an individual. The relevance of studying housing conditions lies in the need to determine the living standard of society and conduct a scientifically based social policy aimed at improving it. In the article, based on Tyumen’s materials, housing conditions during the first five-year plans have been analyzed for the first time. It is established that despite the efforts of the authorities, the housing problem was not solved during the period under study, since the state gave priority primarily to the development of the industrial sector relative to the social one, and lacked funds with the rapidly increasing population of the city. The low level of everyday culture, as a legacy of the past, also had a negative impact on the situation. The author concludes that the housing conditions of Tyumen citizens during the first five-year plans have not yet contributed to improving the quality of life and creating favorable conditions for recreation and healing.

Going straight home? Housing stability and post-prison reoffending in Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT International research has found that post-release stable accommodation is associated with reduced recidivism, however, research exploring this relationship in Aotearoa New Zealand and its potential causal nature is limited. Drawing on quantitative pre- and post-release interviews with people released from prison in Aotearoa New Zealand, this article examines their housing situations and the relationship between two measures of recidivism (re-sentencing and re-imprisonment) and two measures of housing stability (stable housing and residential mobility). Whilst stable housing is associated with a reduced risk of re-imprisonment, after controlling for confounding variables using inverse probability of treatment weighting, a direct causal relationship between housing stability and recidivism could not be found. We conclude that housing stability is therefore likely to be indicative of broader stability post-release and supports other factors related to successful reintegration, including the development of social capital.

An exploration of live–work housing conditions of low-income older people in Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT This article explores live–work housing conditions for low-income older residents in an informal settlement in Bangkok called Klong Toey (KT) via interviews with 12 participants. The aim is to understand the housing and livelihood situation of older low-income inhabitants of KT, to assess the suitability of their physical environment and areas that could be improved to enable it to serve as live–work housing and to facilitate aging in place, and to inform future work. Participants were asked about the housing conditions in KT and their impact on residents; types of housing for older people in KT; design guidelines for live–work housing; and any lessons from other low-income housing projects. The study used content analysis to examine the interview transcripts. Four organizing themes were used to analyze the responses: housing conditions and relation to live–work; situation and requirements of older people’s housing; live–work housing design guidelines; and solutions to older people’s live–work housing. Finally, four global conceptual domains of live–work housing were constructed from mapping the basic themes. The global conceptual domains include “space,” “livelihood,” “support,” and “services” that are essential to the provision of live–work housing in KT.

Residential Instability and Children’s Mental Health: Emotional and Behavioral Consequences of Frequent Relocation

Residential instability, characterized by frequent relocations, poses significant risks to children’s mental health, impacting their emotional and behavioral development. This study explores the emotional and behavioral consequences of frequent relocations on children aged 5 to 15, using a mixed-methods approach that combines longitudinal quantitative data and qualitative interviews. The findings reveal that children who experience three or more relocations within five years exhibit significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and attachment issues, alongside increased externalizing behaviors such as aggression and defiance and internalizing behaviors such as social withdrawal and anxiety. Academic performance also suffers, with lower average scores in core subjects like mathematics and reading observed among frequently relocated children. These outcomes are moderated by factors such as parental support, community integration, and economic stability, highlighting the complex interplay between individual, familial, and contextual variables. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions and supportive policies to mitigate the negative impacts of residential instability and promote children’s mental health and well-being. Future research should focus on the long-term effects, specific vulnerable populations, and protective factors to better understand and address the challenges faced by children in unstable housing situations.

HOUSING, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND SETTLEMENT POLICY FROM A RESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE – THE TRADITIONS AND PRESENT OF THE IGS ENVIRONMENT

The text outlines the reasoning of representatives of the Institute of Social Economy (IGS) in the area from early courts on housing issues by understanding, determining and defining municipal and social policy for those regarding housing and settlement policy considered from today's perspective. The issues of housing, municipal, social and settlement policy contained in the text are only a small spectrum of residence. It does not include the work of representatives of the IGS focusing on various aspects and cross-sections of these types of policies and works on demographic and economic phenomena and processes constituting a significant cause and at the same time the effect of shaping the housing and settlement situation deciding to inhabiting. The selection of publications cited in the text illustrates the most important substantive content in the adopted consideration.

“A lot of moving parts”: Recovery home challenges linking and housing individuals with criminal legal system involvement

IntroductionThere are high rates of substance use disorder (SUD) among people released from carceral settings and, upon release, many of these people also face unstable housing situations, posing challenges to connecting with resources to facilitate SUD recovery. Recovery homes provide a temporary sober living environment for those seeking both SUD recovery and transition back to the community after carceral release. However, successful recovery home placement for this population can prove difficult, and there is a need for research to identify ways to overcome them. MethodsThe current qualitative study seeks to understand barriers to recovery home access for people leaving carceral settings and identify potential best practices for overcoming these barriers from the perspective of recovery home directors. The study conducted semi-structured interviews at two data collection points with eight recovery home directors from sites participating in a housing linkage and placement intervention pilot. The research team used qualitative software to identify and organize directors' experiences and practices in housing and supporting this population. ResultsRecovery home directors identified significant barriers to linkage from carceral settings, including difficulties communicating and coordinating placement with potential residents while still incarcerated. Interviews also revealed approaches recovery home directors take to improve recovery home placement, such as sharing information and resources with carceral settings prior to release and helping residents avoid reincarceration by managing relationships with court agents and parole. ConclusionRecovery resident directors have considerable insight into the most significant placement challenges faced by recovery homes upon carceral release as well as experience with potential solutions for overcoming them. Directors can be the key to direct seamless support and continuity of care for criminal legal system involved individuals through coordination with jails, prisons, and other community resources. Directors can also play a significant role in the successful completion of probation and parole by helping residents avoid further issues with the legal system. These directors view working cooperatively with residents as an effective approach to ensuring clients adhere to court orders and are successful in recovery and reentry.

SARS-CoV-2-Infection in People Addicted to Illegal Drugs - Is There a Protective Effect of Opioid Maintenance Treatment?

People addicted to illegal drugs were discussed as a risk group for SARS-CoV-2 infections, with increased susceptibility and a severe course of infection. In this study, the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infections of drug-dependent persons admitted to inpatient detoxification treatment in five psychiatric hospitals was determined by implementing routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-testing at admission (9/2020) up to one year. Main substance-related diagnosis, comorbid respiratory disease, housing situation, and current opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) were documented. An age-matched control group of psychiatric inpatients without dependence from illegal drugs was established. Data from 1675 patients (male 79.5%; mean age 39.5 years; opioid dependence 81.5% homelessness; 2.4%; chronic respiratory disease 6.3%) were included. Out of 1365 patients dependent on opioids, 50.2% were currently in OMT. Six (3 female; mean age 40.3 years) patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR (0.36%), and none showed symptoms of COVID-19. All six were opioid dependent, 5 currently not in OMT. In the control group, 11 out of 1811 inpatients tested positive (0.61%). The rate of SARS-CoV-2-infections in persons with dependence on illegal drugs was not increased compared to a control group of psychiatric patients. OMT is presumably a protective factor, e. g. in the participating cities, OMT facilities offered an easy access to vaccination programs. In contrast, drug addicts in the USA were severely affected by the pandemic. Differences between countries might partially be explained by social factors such as the higher availability of OMT in Germany and a much lower frequency of homelessness.

Study to Assess the Clinical and Sociodemographic Profile of Measles in Children Admitted to a Tertiary Care Center: A Retrospective Study.

Background Measles remains a significant contributor to illness and death among young children, despite the presence of a safe and efficacious vaccine. One of the most highly transmissible viruses affecting humans is measles, which can be almost entirely prevented through vaccination. The recent surge in measles cases worldwide has been particularly notable in India. A total of 172 confirmed outbreaks of measles were recorded between October 2021 and September 2022, resulting in 12,589 cases. Measles, being highly contagious, is transmitted through the respiratory route. The disease affects 75 to 90% of susceptible household contacts, reaching peak infectivity three days before the rash emerges. The recent measles outbreak observed since January 2023 holds significance, as Bangalore district alone has reported around 500 cases. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of measles in pediatric patients. Methods This was a retrospective study conducted over seven months. Data pertaining to demographics such as age, gender, parental occupation, parental educational background, and housing situation were gathered. Details regarding the child's immunization status, the onset of fever, and the onset of rash were also documented. Descriptive data was represented using mean, standard deviation, and percentage or proportion. Results Over the study period of seven months, 53 children were admitted due to measles. The majority of the individuals were female, accounting for 28 cases (52.8%). The typical clinical manifestations of measles such as cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis were documented in 45 (84.90%), 43 (81.13%), and 32 (60.37%) children, respectively.Specifically, two (3.77%), 14 (26.41%), 20 (37.73%), and 17 (32.07%) individuals were categorized as belonging to the upper middle, lower middle, upper lower, and lower socioeconomic strata. Six children in the nine- to 12-month age range had not received the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination. Thirteen (54.16%) out of 24 children aged one to five years had not received a single dose of thevaccine, while the children who had received at least one dose did not experience any complications. Among children aged less than nine months, nine to 12 months, and more than 12 months, three (100%), two (66.6%), and three (75%) respectively,experienced complications. All the patients recovered completely and were discharged from the hospital. Conclusion Measles is re-emerging as an infectious disease among children, as evidenced by the current outbreak. Study indicates that measles tends to impact infants and under five children more frequently. Through prompt and suitable medical intervention, all affected children experienced full recovery. It was observed that immunized children had fewer complications in comparison to their non-immunized counterparts. Acquiring a thorough understanding of the clinical profile of the illness is crucial for policymakers in developing essential guidelines for measles immunization coverage.

An energy transition for all: Investigating determinants of citizen support for energy community initiatives on the island of Mayotte

For an equitable transition towards a decentralized and clean energy future, the involvement and active participation of citizens is needed, exemplified by new organizational forms such as Energy Communities (ECs). While determinants of citizen engagement in renewable energy projects have received some attention in the literature, research mostly focuses on continental Europe, with limited understanding of the perceptions and motivations of citizens living in the Global South or in contexts of poverty and marginalization. Using novel survey data (n = 392) and insights from 16 key informant interviews from the French overseas territory Mayotte, we investigate citizens' perception of renewable energies and ECs and their willingness to participate in such initiatives, confirming high support of the local population for a community-based energy transition. Through exploratory factor analysis and subsequent multivariate regressions, we identify the factors Environmental Awareness, Access to Services and Social Inclusion as important determinants of citizen engagement, with Environmental Awareness exhibiting particularly strong and robust effects on both general support and the willingness to actively participate in an EC. Establishing the housing situation of respondents as a proxy for socio-economic status (SES), we find positive effects of SES on EC support, which is mediated by the identified factors and thereby represents a fourth, underlying determinant of support. Our research underscores the vital importance of considering the multifaceted, diverse perceptions and motivations of the local population to achieve the vision of an equitable transition. Inclusion of needs and priorities of various socio-economic groups, particularly the most vulnerable community members, is essential.

Analysis of fire protection design strategies for commercial renovation of villagers’ self-built houses

Abstract The current situation of self-built houses by villagers is prevalent in rural areas, where many villagers construct their own residential dwellings based on their personal needs and economic circumstances. These self-built houses are typically constructed using basic materials and traditional building techniques, often without adherence to strict building regulations and standards. As a result of the lack of professional knowledge and technical guidance, the structural integrity and safety of these houses are often compromised. In addition, the lack of firefighting facilities and fire prevention measures further increase the risk of fire accidents. This situation contributes to a higher incidence of fires in rural areas, posing a significant threat to the lives and assets of villagers. Therefore, it becomes imperative to improve the current state of self-built houses by villagers. Strengthening fire safety awareness and implementing robust fire prevention measures are vital in this regard. This paper aims to summarize the challenges involved in fire protection design for renovating rural buildings. Additionally, it proposes fire protection design principles specifically for the commercial transformation of self-built houses by villagers. By analyzing real-world engineering cases, this study puts forth specific fire protection measures concerning fire rescue, fire control zones (groups), evacuation design, and fire systems. To ensure the fire safety of these buildings, special fire protection design methods are employed. The effectiveness of the proposed fire protection measures are validated through the use of FDS fire and smoke numerical simulation analysis software and Pathfinder evacuation simulation software, ensuring the fire safety of the buildings. The results show that the available safe evacuation time that can be provided by this scenario is 1200 s as calculated by the FDS simulation, and the necessary safe evacuation time is less than the available safe evacuation time in case of a fire on the first floor of this building, and the safe evacuation of the people can be guaranteed. This study can provide a valuable resource for architects, engineers, and decision makers to implement effective fire protection measures during commercial remodeling of village-owned houses.

SPECIFICITY OF SOCIAL WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS

The article indicates the social features of old age that should be taken into account in social work with older adults. These include: family situation, support networks, health condition, housing situation, education and activity of seniors. Accurate social diagnosis of the situation of older people allows us to identify areas of necessary support and determine its scope. The presented diagram indicates the most important areas of an elderly person's life that should be the focus of a social worker's attention. Social work with older people requires a redefinition of entitlements to social assistance benefits, because it is gaining importance as a diagnostic and preventive element

UKRAINIAN MOTHERS IN POLAND. NEW CHALLENGERS FOR SOCIAL POLICY

The aim of this article is to analyse and assess the socio-economic situation of Ukrainian mothers in Poland. It deals with the presentation of the housing situation, difficulties in finding a decent job for highly educated women, deficiencies in universal access to Polish language learning, unequal opportunities in the process of education and care for the young generation and health care. Consequently, the recommendations formulated become challenges for national social policy.

Out-of-pocket Health Expenditure and Factors Affecting Them in Breast Cancer Patients in Iran

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer among Iranian women. The cost of breast cancer treatment is high, and many families struggle to afford it. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure and factors affecting it in BC patients in Shahid Jalil Hospital affiliated to Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted in a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical way. Based on the inclusion criteria, the health expenditure of 82 patients with BC were collected. The data was gathered from Shahid Jalil Hospital, affiliated with Yasuj University of Medical Sciences. It includes inpatient and outpatient information from the Iran Health Insurance Organization, as well as patient-declared costs in 2022. The study data analyzed using descriptive statistics methods including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and stepwise linear regression to investigate the effect of variables on the amount of OOP health expenditure in SPSS 21 software. Results: The OOP expenses for BC patients accounted for 32.89% of the total direct medical expenses. Of the OOP costs, 47.18% were attributed to drug expenses, 16.19% to laboratory costs, 11.74% to imaging expenses, 11.20% to visit costs, 8.40% to hospitalization expenses, 2.84% to doctor’s services, and 2.45% to physical therapy-related expenses. Factors such as age, place of residence, occupation, education, and household income were among the factors that had a significant effect on OOP payments (P < 0.05). Marital status, housing situation, and social coverage had no significant effect on patients' OOP payments (P > 0.05). Conclusions: BC patients incur a lot of expenses, and about 32.89% of these expenses are OOP payments. It is essential for insurance organizations to increase their coverage, while also requiring additional support from the government for patients with breast cancer in obtaining necessary medication and medical supplies.

Homelessness, Discrimination, and Violent Victimization in Los Angeles County

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are highly vulnerable to discrimination and violence, which impact physical and mental health. The study examines past-month discrimination and violence against PEH in Los Angeles County (LAC). A total of 332 PEH in LAC were surveyed about their past-month experiences with discrimination, physical violence, and sexual violence from April-July 2023. Analyses were conducted in 2023. 31.8% of respondents reported experiencing discrimination daily and 53.9% reported it weekly, whereas rates of lifetime discrimination in studies of general populations of minoritized groups range between 13-60%. Nearly half of respondents who reported experiencing discrimination (49.6%) believed that their housing situation was the reason they were targeted. Victimization was also common, with 16.0% of participants experiencing physical violence and 7.5% experiencing sexual violence in the past 30 days. These rates of past-month victimization are high when compared to past-year physical violence (3.0%) and sexual violence (0.24%) among general populations in major U.S. cities. In multivariate regression analyses, discrimination was associated with being unsheltered in a vehicle (p<0.05) or outdoors (p<0.001), weekly illicit drug use (p<0.01), and psychological distress (p<0.001); violent victimization was associated with being sheltered (p<0.05) or unsheltered outdoors (p<0.001), physical health conditions (p<0.05), and psychological distress (p<0.01); and sexual victimization was associated with non-male gender (p<0.05) and being unsheltered outdoors (p<0.05). Discrimination and victimization outcomes were not associated with any race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or time homeless characteristics. Study findings highlight the dangers of homelessness in the U.S., particularly for those who are unsheltered outdoors.

Improving credit risk assessment in P2P lending with explainable machine learning survival analysis

Recent research using explainable machine learning survival analysis demonstrated its ability to identify new risk factors in the medical field. In this study, we adapted this methodology to credit risk assessment. We used a comprehensive dataset from the Estonian P2P lending platform Bondora, consisting of over 350,000 loans and 112 features with a loan volume of 915 million euros. First, we applied classical (linear) and machine learning (extreme gradient-boosted) Cox models to estimate the risk of these loans and then risk-rated them using risk stratification. For each rating category we calculated default rates, rates of return, and plotted Kaplan–Meier curves. These performance criteria revealed that the boosted Cox model outperformed both the classical Cox model and the platform’s rating. For instance, the boosted model’s highest rating category had an annual excess return of 18% and a lower default rate compared to the platform’s best rating. Second, we explained the machine learning model’s output using Shapley Additive Explanations. This analysis revealed novel nonlinear relationships (e.g., higher risk for borrowers over age 55) and interaction effects (e.g., between age and housing situation) that provide promising avenues for future research. The machine-learning model also found feature contributions aligning with existing research, such as lower default risk associated with older borrowers, females, individuals with mortgages, or those with higher education. Overall, our results reveal that explainable machine learning survival analysis excels at risk rating, profit scoring, and risk factor analysis, facilitating more precise and transparent credit risk assessments.