title: Housing homeless women: a consumer preference study.
abstract: Consumer preference surveys can provide valuable information on which to base the planning and development of housing for groups with special needs. The authors describe a survey that explored the housing histories, problems, needs, and preferences of a sample of 38 chronically homeless women contacted in metropolitan Toronto hostels and drop-in centers. Despite having multiple mental and physical health problems, the women showed a strong preference for a normal, independent living situation. However, they acknowledged the need for a range of supportive services to maintain themselves in such a situation. The women strongly opposed being housed in settings with mentally ill persons, with alcohol or drug abusers, and with those involved in criminal activities.
authors.affiliation: Social and Community Psychiatry Section, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goering
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paduchak
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Durbin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population