Housing support after long-term psychiatric hospitalization: Resources and strategies in three experiences in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: Housing is one of the main supports needed to guarantee community life of people who had long-term psychiatric hospitalizations. In Argentina, housing support experiences have been developed for decades, although  heir systematization is scarce. The objective of this paper is to describe three housing support experiences developed in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, which have continuity over time for more than 20 years. Materials and methods: Document analysis and interviews with workers from the three experiences were carried out, as part of a broader project on community life and neighborhood relations of people discharged after long-term psychiatric hospitalizations. The material was analyzed qualitatively, using a time dimension and a structure and functioning one which included financing, technical resources, housing devices and support provided. Results: Although the types of support provided are somehow similar between the three experiences, heterogeneity in structure and functioning is observed. Discussion and Conclusions: Despite the fact that the human rights framework proposes the provision of flexible and adequate support according to the needs of people, it is worth reflection on whether the reduced systematization of experiences such as those presented is due to the difficulties of the heterogeneity mentioned, or is due to a scarce evaluation culture that obstacles the learning from those experiences.