HOUSING ACCOMMODATION PREFERENCES OF PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

Objective: The study sought to identify the types of housing preferred by people with psychiatric disabilities seeking accommodations throug h a community mental health service in Sydney, Australia. Methods: Hou sing options available in the mental health service's catchment al ea were identified, and the extent of demands on residents' behavior that was associated with each option was assessed using an established mea sure. Clients examined descriptions of each housing option and rank-or dered the options based on their preferences. Clients' current levels of functioning and symptoms were also assessed. Results: Clients most preferred environments th:ct ensured living alone in settings of low b ehavioral demand. Living in one's own home was the most preferred opti on, followed by living in government-subsidized housing. For-profit bo arding houses were preferred over psychiatric group homes, and homeles sness, long-term hospitalization, and crisis accommodations were least preferred. Shelter, privacy, food, and safety were highly valued hous ing attributes. Demographic characteristics, level of functioning, and severity of psychiatric symptoms did not predict accommodation prefer ences, Conclusion: Consumers' resistance to psychiatric group housing with high levels of behavioral demand is unrelated to consumer charact eristics and should be considered in planning suitable accommodations for pel sons with psychiatric disabilities.