The global burden of disease attributable to mental illness is high, and as a result people with serious mental illness are at greater risk of indicators of social exclusion, such as poverty, homelessness and social isolation. Since deinstitutionalisation began in the 1960s, a variety of housing and support models have been used for this group. „Housing first‟ models are proving superior to „continuum of care‟ models in achieving positive housing outcomes and improving indicators of social exclusion. Housing first programmes are also believed to be more effective as they offer consumers choice, are not contingent on treatment, and are, therefore, empowering and philosophically compatible with harm reduction and recovery approaches. The physical and social environments have also been found to influence housing satisfaction and well-being outcomes for this group, but are often poorly measured or inadequately defined in the few studies which have been conducted. As little recent New Zealand research has examined housing, support and environmental effects for people with serious mental illness, this twelve-month prospective cohort study provides a more current account of the experiences of this group. Thirty six participants were recruited from a group of people with serious mental illness referred to the Comcare Housing Service for assistance to obtain independent, community-based housing. An examination of the variables influencing housing and overall well-being ratings was conducted. Peace and Kell's (2001) sustainability framework, outlining four categories of resources required for this group to maintain housing, was also evaluated. The results demonstrate the success of housing support in improving outcomes for people with serious mental illness, particularly in terms of improved housing quality and satisfaction, and residential stability. They also provide further evidence that this group have high rates of homelessness and are frequently in situations where they are at risk of homelessness. The physical environment appeared to have little influence on housing satisfaction or other well-being measures, however, the social environment seemed to play a role in higher ratings on these outcomes. Participants rehoused by Comcare Housing reported higher housing satisfaction and fewer housing problems, indicating that the service was providing effective housing support. Peace and Kell‟s framework is a good model for conceptualising housing for this group, although environmental and neighbourhood effects need to be included in the model in order for it to have international applicability. The omission of those at risk of homelessness from the New Zealand definition is a serious concern and has policy implications as support to address housing issues for this group may be neglected due to their invisibility in the statistics.

The main aim of this study is the residential stability of the population in Prague suburban locality Říčany. The residential stability was studied in six localities of Říčany which varied according to the type of housing. Description of differences among the selected locations of Říčany can improve the development of similar localities in Prague suburban zone. Residential stability of people depends on factors that can affect it and it is necessary to include all these factors in the analysis. The most significant factor is residential satisfaction with the quality of housing. Qualitative research methods: were used primarily for this analysis: questionnaire survey and interviews with residents of selected localities. The results showed that the city Říčany rather belong to unstable residential communities in Prague suburban zone. Residential instability of the inhabitants is significantly influenced by dissatisfaction with their housing, but very important aspects are also age and life-cycle stages of the respondents. Field survey did not confirm any significant differences between the selected locations, but rather among the types of housing.

This thesis examines demographic aging of housing estate in Prague and residential satisfaction of seniors. In the theoretical part the issue of demographic aging, residential satisfaction and residential stability is elaborated summary of the basis of literature. Empirical part is based on two research methods, which are the data analysis of the age structure of the population census and interviews with seniors living in the housing estate Nové Ďáblice. Two approaches were defined to work with the data, the first one compared the type of settlement development with other parts of Prague, in the second one there were defined individual settlement files with a population of more than 15 000. Carried out the research, it was found that the age structure is equalize and the current demographic situation in the settlements is determined by the period of construction of the housing estate file. Generally speaking, the earlier the settlement was established, the older population it has. In parts focused on the quality of life of older people on the estate were determined using semi-structured interviews satisfaction with the physical environment, social relationships, housing, public spaces, public facilities and services, transportation and security. In addition, it assessed the stability of residential...

The aim of the thesis is to evaluate and compare the residential satisfaction of seniors aged 65 plus in three housing estates in Prague - Invalidovna, Háje and Nové Butovice, among other aspects differentiated by the date of development. The research undertaken at the turn of May and June 2011 using the method of a semi-structured interview endeavours to uncover seniors' satisfaction in several areas - basic stores and services, leisure time activities, social relationships, transport and mobility, public spaces and green areas, housing, security. In addition, the residential stability of seniors and overall residential satisfaction are assessed.