Aging in the Right Place for Older Adults Experiencing Housing Insecurity: An Environmental Assessment of Temporary Housing Program

Atiya Mahmood, Rachelle Patille (), Emily Lam, Diana Juanita Mora, Shreemouna Gurung, Gracen Bookmyer (), Rachel Weldrick, Habib Chaudhury and Sarah L. Canham
Additional contact information
Atiya Mahmood: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Rachelle Patille: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Emily Lam: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Diana Juanita Mora: Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
Shreemouna Gurung: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Gracen Bookmyer: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Rachel Weldrick: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Habib Chaudhury: Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings, Suite 2800, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3, Canada
Sarah L. Canham: College of Social Work, University of Utah, 395 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: Research on programs offering senior-specific housing supports and enabling “aging in the right place” (AIRP) for “older persons with experiences of homelessness” (OPEH) is limited. This paper presents an environmental assessment of a “transitional housing program” (THP) in Metro Vancouver, Canada, for OPEH to AIRP. Data were collected using Aging in the Right Place Environmental (AIRP-ENV) and Secondary Observation (AIRP-ENV-SO) audit tools designed to evaluate multi-unit housing for OPEH. The 241-item AIRP-ENV tool was used to assess the built environmental features of four multi-unit buildings of the THP. The AIRP-ENV-SO tool was used to collect contextual data on the function, safety, and land use of the surrounding neighborhood. Findings identified built environment and urban design features that support THP residents’ safety, security, accessibility, functionality, social activity, autonomy, and identity. The THP buildings were rated ‘ Good ’ for accessibility, functionality, autonomy and identity, while ‘ Satisfactory ’ or ‘ Poor ’ for safety, security, and social activity. Findings point to the built environmental features (e.g., size and layout of spaces) required in the THP to create opportunities for increased social engagement among residents and enhanced safety and security. The AIRP-ENV and AIRP-ENV-SO audit tools can help inform programs across the housing continuum to develop supportive built environments that promote AIRP for OPEH.

Keywords: aging in the right place; older adults; built environment; housing insecurity; homelessness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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