Deinstitutionalisation and Housing Futures:
notification of research project and request for information
The Urban Frontiers Program, based at the University of Western
Sydney, is
currently undertaking research that examines the housing futures of
disabled people who have been, or will be, deinstitutionalised. The
abstract below outlines the main aims, objectives and philosophy of
the
project. We would appreciate any information regarding the
experiences of
deinstitutionalisation and its implications for service users and local
housing markets from the overseas context and welcome
establishing contact
with individuals and groups concerned with such issues.
The project's principal investigator is Dr Brendan Gleeson, Deputy
Director of Urban Frontiers Program. The day-to-day management of
the
project is undertaken by Dr Lisa Bostock, Research Fellow, in
conjunction
with Ms Ailsa McPherson and Ms Lillian Pang, Research Assistants.
Abstract
Deinstitutionalisation represents one of the most profound social
policy
shifts in the history of Western welfare states. Since the 1960s, all
Australian states have embarked upon large scale restructuring of
human
services delivery, usually involving the closure and/or downscaling of
institutions and their replacement by a variety of community care
facilities and programs. However, there is no centralised source of
information on State/Territory deinstitutionalisation policy. As a result
it is difficult, if not impossible, to assess both national and
sub-national housing outcomes from deinstitutionalisation, and
formulate
policies to anticipate and address these changes.
Deinstitutionalised people tend to pursue or experience relatively
diverse
housing careers. Deinstitutionalisation therefore has profound
consequences for housing sub-markets and for housing support
policies.
Taken together, the dearth of information about rates of facility/bed
closure, and the complexity and diversity of housing outcomes make
deinstitutionalisation a vexing area for Australian public policy.
To further complicate the scenario, there have been notable shifts in
community expectations of housing outcomes from
deinstitutionalisation in
recent years. Family/guardian groups in conjunction with some
services
users, have also begun to question established community housing
models,
notably the neighbourhood care home, on the basis that such
options are
'formulaic' and unable to suit the diversity of client and family needs.
Through the collection of data via direct contact with relevant agencies
in each State and Territory, this research will document forward plans
for
deinstitutionalisation in each State and Territory, focusing on the
2000-2010 time frames. The research will also review and describe
the
recent housing outcomes from deinstitutionalisation in Australia,
noting
any differences between State/Territory experiences.
The findings of the research will be discussed with particular reference
to the policy planning process. It will include forward planning in each
State and Territory for the care of the intellectually and physically
disabled. The broad policy implications of the findings and
recommendations for policy development will also be examined.
Contact Details:
Dr Lisa Bostock
Research Fellow
Urban Frontiers Program
University of Western Sydney - Macarthur
PO Box 555
Campbelltown, NSW. 2560
AUSTRALIA
Ph. 61-(0)2-4620 3499
Fx. 61-(0)2-4620 3447
email: [log in to unmask]
Visit the Urban Frontiers website:
http://www.urbanfrontiers.uws.edu.au
Best Wishes
Mark Priestley
Disability Research Unit
University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
UK
Tel: +44 113 2334417/2334418
Fax: +44 113 2334415
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/dru/dru.htm
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