Browsing by Author "Niemi, Hanne-Sinikka"

This qualitative master's thesis studies substance-free supported housing intended for homeless substance rehabilitants. The research task is to analyze the concept of supported housing, its meaning and the construction of frames in supported housing at Wärttinä housing unit. The study has been conducted in the framework of social constructivism via concepts of homelessness, supported housing and psychosocially oriented social housing work*. Research data consists of thirteen semi-structured interviews (seven from housing unit's residents and six from employees). The data has been analyzed firstly by the means of content analysis and secondly the themes have been interpreted further by frame analysis. Residents' perspectives have been emphasized in the analysis and the interpretation of the research results. One of the findings of the thesis was that supported housing is constructed on the layered frames of stabilizing, recovering, empowering and inclusion. The roles of residents and employees formed differently in each frame described above. The essential meaning of supported housing varied also in every frame. In the frame of stabilizing the essential meaning formed as full-filling societal assignment and individuals' needs. For the frame of recovering it was enabling, supporting and controlling the dialogic process of change, whereas for the frame of empowering the essential meaning could be seen as reinforcing of inner resources. Lastly in the frame of inclusion the meaning was the integration of social agency. The research data of the thesis is situational and therefore different frames, roles or essential meanings of supported housing do not necessarily separate strictly one from another in practice. However, the structure of the frames and essential meanings of supported housing formed by the results of the thesis can be used further on in the development of the work regarding homelessness and in the staircase model of supported housing. Supported housing made a positive impact in residents' situation and rehabilitation. Based on the results of this study, it can be stated that the staircase model of supported housing is suitable for those who are motivated to achieve a change in their lives. However, due to the assessment of housing ability and demand of sobriety supported housing is currently constructed system-based instead of respecting individuals' different choices to live their lives. Permanent, decent and safe living conditions should be offered also for those who cannot commit to substance-free housing or who are not willing to receive support. Housing is one of the basic needs and the possibilities to function as a plenipotentiary member of society and as a subject of one's own life are significantly narrowed without it. --- * Psychosocially oriented social housing work = 'asumissosiaalinen työ'. At the time of making this thesis there was no corresponding translation in English for the Finnish concept.