| This qualitative study explores the factors which contributed to stability in housing for 12 elderly people who had been homeless in Portland, Oregon. Semi-structured interviews with each of the participants were audio-taped and then transcribed. An analysis based on Grounded Theory was used to generate theories about what facilitates one's managing to seek, find, and stabilize in housing.;At the time of the study all of the participants were living in a subsidized apartment building. The length of tenancy varied from 2 months to 3 years at the time of the interview. They were assisted in finding their housing through Northwest Pilot Project, an agency serving elderly people. The age range of the participants was 53 to 67 years. In keeping with the tenets of Grounded Theory, the sample was selected for diversity in terms of race, gender, disability, length of time homeless, age when first homeless, history of drug and alcohol use and treatment, and history and treatment of psychiatric difficulties.;The following categories emerged given the responses of the participants: Ways of Managing, Defining Experiences, and Perceptions of How People Become Homeless. Subcategories for Ways of Managing included Self-Reliance, Reliance on Others, Use of Services, and the Role of Faith and Spirituality. Defining Experiences included Early Childhood Events, Adult Experiences, Work Experiences and Skills, and Health and Aging. Perceptions of How People Become Homeless included Lack of Affordable Housing, Impact of Funding Cutbacks on Provision of Social Services, and Personal Style.;The philosophical basis for the study was the importance of understanding and building upon successes of individuals, as well as organizations. This population was selected given the unique needs of people who are in the later stages of their lives and the remarkable stability in housing which follows, in some cases, lengthy periods of being homeless.;Plausible explanations for the success these participants have had in maintaining housing include: (a) determination to take care of one's physical needs; (b) comprehensive and accessible services for this age bracket; and (c) quality and nature of service provision. It was hypothesized that these factors combined to make dramatic changes for the participants involved. The agency's ongoing presence in the apartment building may provide a cost-effective means of providing necessary support as one makes a transition into housing. This feature of agency may have implications for service provision for people of all ages who are homeless and are seeking housing. |
