This study is the first large-scale survey of the Single Room Occupancy (SRO) population to be conducted in New York City. It includes documentation of survey findings, analysis of data, and recommendations for action. The authors profile: who SRO residents are; their income and unemployment; race, gender, and age; demographic differences between tenants of hotels in different locations; housing history of tenants; institutionalization history of tenants; work and employment; service utilization; and housing needs and preferences. Results show that the majority of SRO tenants interviewed demonstrated a level of physical and mental functioning sufficient to preclude placement in domiciliary care facilities or institutions. The authors contend that this finding indicates that the thrust of policy should be to enhance tenants' ability to live independently rather than to transfer them to unneeded higher levels of care.
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