Consumer/Survivor Stories of Empowerment and Recovery in the Context of Supported Housing

We examined the stories of empowerment and recovery of five psychiatric consumer/survivors who participated in supported housing programs. Interviews with these five participants and members of their social networks were used to gather qualitative data on their lives prior to supported housing, their experiences with supported housing, and the impacts/changes that they experienced through supported housing. Changes in personal empowerment, community integration, and access to valued resources were reported in each of the five stories. The qualities of the supported housing programs that were reported to contribute to individuals’ empowerment and recovery included individualized and consumer-controlled support, diverse sources of support, and assistance with accessing basic resources. The implications of these findings for research and practice were discussed.

Publication Date: 
2003
Pages: 
103-118
Volume: 
7
Journal Name: 
International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Location: 
Ontario, Canada