Preventing evictions as a potential public health intervention: characteristics and social medical risk factors of households at risk in Amsterdam.
OBJECTIVE
The public health problems precipitating eviction are understudied and no systemic data have been collected. We aim to identify the magnitude of eviction and the characteristics and social medical risk factors of households at risk in Amsterdam. This will help inform policies designed to prevent eviction.


METHODS
In 2003, case workers of housing associations dealing with rent arrears, and case workers of nuisance control care networks, were interviewed and completed questionnaires about households at risk of eviction. Questionnaires included the processes that resulted in eviction and the characteristics and social medical problems of the households involved. Evicted households were compared with non-evicted households.


RESULTS
In Amsterdam, over recent years 1,400 eviction, or four per 1,000 dwellings, took place annually. Of 275 households with rent arrears, 132 were evicted. Of 190 nuisance households, 136 were evicted. In both groups, the largest household group were single male tenants between 25 and 44 years. For those reporting rent arrears, social problems were reported in 71%, medical problems in 23%; independent risk factors for eviction were being of Dutch origin (OR 2.38 (1.30-4.36)) and having a drug-addiction problem (OR 3.58 (0.96-13.39)). For the nuisance households, social problems were reported in 46% and medical problems in 82%, while financial difficulties were a risk factor for eviction (OR: 8.04 (1.05-61.7)).


CONCLUSIONS
In Amsterdam, households at risk of eviction consisted mainly of single (Dutch) men, aged between 25 and 44 years, often with a combination of social and medical problems. Financial difficulties and drug addiction were independent risk factors for eviction. Because of the social medical problems that were prevalent, for prevention practice eviction should be considered both a socioeconomic and a public health problem. Preventing eviction deserves full attention as a potential effective public health intervention.
Van Laere
Igor
I
GGD Municipal Public Health Service Amsterdam, Dr Valckenier Outreach Primary Care Practice for the Homeless, 1000 CE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ivlaere@ggd.amsterdam.nl
De Wit
Matty
M
Klazinga
Niek
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D012940:Social Problems; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult