In Durban as well as many other cities around the world one can find the phenomenon of street children. Studies have highlighted various factors such as historical, political, social and economic, which have contributed to the formation of this phenomenon. The aim of this project is to analyse these factors in an attempt to understand the underlying issues and circumstances that lead to the phenomenon of street children. In conjunction with this, one needs to study existing examples of architectural solutions both local and abroad in order to identify the fundamental requirements that a design of this nature would need to include. It is also important that one analyse the local context as it may hold region specific needs that may not be evident from studies of foreign examples. This project seeks to identify the specific methods of rehabilitation and development, in order to create a successful architectural solution. In order to achieve this, one needs to recognise the specific design needs of children in an attempt to create a more conducive environment for rehabilitation. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Within the context of a rapidly urbanizing population, both globally and nationally, this dissertation investigates how street living strategies can assist in conceptualizing a nurturing inner city environment. Responding to the dearth of implementable social policies in South Africa, this research sets out to explore methods for architects to enhance the life opportunities and choices of pavement dwellers by incorporating their livelihoods and aspirations in the design of the built environment. The research was carried out by way of reviewing existing literature on the subject, relevant case studies and precedent studies. The theories and literature discussed guide the focus of this dissertation highlighting the importance of taking people's needs, interests, livelihood strategies and their circumstances into account. The discussion illustrates how the inner city environment, underpinned by theoretical analysis of Theory of Living, Complexity Theory and Critical Regionalism, can be nurturing to life. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to gather social and architectural data, outlining the interaction between street living strategies and the built environment, illustrating how an inner city can cater to the needs and well being (positive orientation) of the community, or in other cases, fail to do so. This will be further understood through an examination of the pavement dwellers' complex and difficult life in the Durban CBD, and how this creatively assists the design of a nurturing multipurpose dream centre, as a solution to the needs of street living and a conceptualization of a nurturing inner city environment. The outcome is the conceptualization of an inner city environment from which a set of principles and guidelines are established to inform the design of a new multipurpose dream centre in the inner city - the Durban CBD. A dream centre is possible because of the ability of "The architect [to] confront human needs and desires [and] mould the environment closer to the human dream" (Mumford, 1938: 403). / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1994. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [54]-57).

This study supported the hypothesis that short-term shelter programs can help reduce depression in homeless parents.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study sought to investigate governmental intervention in maintaining the victim empowerment centres of the Bohlabela Municipality in Mpumalanga. The issue is contemporary and as a social worker the author can confirm that this scourge still affects our society today and understanding government interventions is useful in terms of ensuring that they work as effectively as possible to assist citizens in the discharge of their mandate. The study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection was through interviews and a questionnaire which had open-ended questions. This research design had been chosen because it has allowed to give solid descriptions and narratives to come out from the real life experiences of social workers and victims of domestic violence as well as the challenges associated with the implementation of the victim empowerment programme. To that end, a phenomenological paradigm was adopted to achieve that ambition. The findings of the study indicate that there are acute challenges which the three centres face and these include a lack of funding, poor structure and poor marketing. The recommendations provided are intended to contribute to the centres’ viability and provide effective services in the communities in which they operate. To that end, there is a need for the government to deploy more resources such as funds, infrastructure, equipment and permanent staff as well as the establishment of permanent structures at these centres to ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, the study found that there is a need for intensive and extensive publicity and marketing of the Victim Empowerment Programmes and Victim Empowerment Centres to increase their visibility and ultimately accessibility. The study found that the centres should ideally be managed by an administrator with clinical staff, a nurse and a police officer and/or a member from the judiciary and the centres should be attached to either hospitals or police stations working at extended hours.

The continued increase in homelessness in Portland, Oregon is in part a result of the systemic restructuring of the welfare state as well as a shift in local governance purviews. Primarily this has eradicated the affordable housing stock in the city which is compounded by the limited availability of emergency shelter spaces. These and other financial constraints have left a depleted service support system to cover a rising homelessness problem. In response to this, contemporary social movements have been focusing attention on economically marginalized groups such as the homeless, calling for rights to access resources in cities such as housing. This approach critiques the neoliberal policies that have bolstered entrepreneurial approaches to urban growth. Neoliberal policies result in a failure to maintain financial support for the well-being of the homeless and connected support services. This research examines one alternative to the traditional approach to sheltering the homeless. It focuses on a self-organized homeless tent city in downtown Portland, Right 2 Dream Too, which has become a critical resource in homeless emergency service provisioning. The rest site's success as an emergency service is primarily predicated on its geographic proximity to a nexus of social services in the Old Town neighborhood. Drawing on ethnographic work and archival data, I analyze the multiple spatialities of this self-managed site to better understand homeless individuals' experience with this place and other related spaces, as a means to understand its value as an emergency service for the homeless in Portland, and other cities with similar constraints. I argue this perspective is essential for mitigating homelessness in Portland and informing the decision-making surrounding its relocation.

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theology Union at Chicago, 2004. / Includes abstract. "December 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-73).

Thesis (M.A.)--Catholic Theology Union at Chicago, 2004. / Includes abstract. "December 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-73).

No description available.

This study was an outcome assessment of how well "Lifeline", a transitional shelter for women and their children, has been fulfilling its stated mission. It was also a program evaluation in terms of learning what former residents of Lifeline think about the quality and the importance of Lifeline's program.