Housing and Social Ex/Inclusion

Thumbnail Image
Date
2011-11-01
Authors
أ. نهى دويكات
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
<p>Housing is one of a number of life domains (EUSI model)1, and it is considered a basic human right. It is more than the shelters in which we live. It is considered as an important element in building individual and community capacity, and it is not just for people who can afford it. Based on these beliefs this paper aims to:<br /> 1 (EUSI): European System of Social Indicators. </p> <p>1. Explore the relation between housing and social inclusion within the Palestinian community. </p> <p>2. Explore relations between housing and better outcomes for the family (ex. explore whether decent housing provides supportive environments). </p> <p>3. Illustrate the impact of decent housing on the community. </p> <p>Qualitative research methods have been used to conduct this research. As a case study, the researcher had chosen the Housing Program for the Disadvantaged - one from the Community Service Centre’s (CSC) programs in Nablus city where she was doing her fieldwork. This program’s mission is to improve living conditions, and provide healthy and safe environments for poor persons through rehabilitation and renovation of houses. The qualitative research methods have been used to examine the effects of the CSC’s Housing Program on community and social ex/inclusion, in addition, to understand the relation between housing and civic engagement. Key themes related to housing and social inclusion had been defined in literature review; through collecting data and analysing the case study the researcher tried to figure out the appearance of these themes in the subject population. Participant observation, interviews, records and official documents of the Community service Centre had been used as a research tools. 6<br /> The research questions were: </p> <p>o Does decent, healthy and safe housing affect social ex/inclusion? </p> <p>o Are there any relationships between housing and better outcomes for the family? </p> <p>o Does the Housing Program have any effects on the community? </p> <p>The subject population were the CSC Housing Program’s beneficiaries and volunteers; the beneficiaries are individuals and families, particularly poor families with children, elderly and disabled. The volunteers are from the local community, either people who provide funds and materials at low prices or workers who donate their work. Potential subjects had been identified through the researcher’s work as an intern at the CSC.<br /> The context of this study was the Palestinian community in Nablus city and its surrounding villages. The Housing Program targets the houses with very poor living conditions. It is unhealthy, damp and with bad ventilation. In some cases, these houses do not have indoor bathrooms or kitchens and if they do, it is usually in very bad condition with no tiles or sinks. During her fieldwork as an intern with the Housing Program, the researcher visited the families in their houses and evaluated the family social situation as a social worker. In addition, as an architect, she has evaluated the housing needs to be a healthy and liveable environment. The second phase of her work was renovating the house to improve it and working with the family on a parallel line to improve their social situation. That gave her better understanding of the housing effects on the family life and helped her in analysing the qualitative data she had collected.<br /> The research value:<br /> This research has drawn attention to the housing sector in the Palestinian community and its role in the empowerment process, as well as its role in community development since the house is considered the foundation upon which we build other life 7 </p> <p>aspects. Through this research, we have a better understanding of housing as a liveable environment that touches its inhabitants’ lives, emotions, health and ability to form relationships, as well as enhancing their ability to facilitate their participation in their community has been gained.<br /> Study outline:<br /> This study consists of five parts: </p> <p>o Part one provides a general idea about this study, its aims and value. In addition it explains this research importance and states its context. This part also illustrates the research methods and the approach the researcher has used to conduct this research. </p> <p>o Part two provides comprehensive literature review about the study topic; through the literature review the researcher explored the previous studies that have been done on the same topic or related to it in order to gain more understanding about the possible linkage between housing and social ex/inclusion. At the end of this chapter the researcher identified housing aspects and outcomes that may affect social ex/inclusion, and built a base on which she could start her research. </p> <p>o Part three outlines the research design and methodology; it includes the research approach, the main research tools, sample selection and qualitative data analysis. The interview outline is attached at the end of this study. </p> <p>o Part four provides information about the case study – CSC Housing Program- that has been used in this research. It shows the context of the case study and gives a clear picture about its role and functioning. </p> <p>o Part five provides this research results. It begins with overview of the households interviewed, and then it discusses the relative importance of themes examined in the interviews, followed by in depth analysis by theme. At the end of this part there is discussion of the research main ideas and its conclusion and recommendations.</p>
<p>Housing is one of a number of life domains (EUSI model)1, and it is considered a basic human right. It is more than the shelters in which we live. It is considered as an important element in building individual and community capacity, and it is not just for people who can afford it. Based on these beliefs this paper aims to:<br /> 1 (EUSI): European System of Social Indicators. </p> <p>1. Explore the relation between housing and social inclusion within the Palestinian community. </p> <p>2. Explore relations between housing and better outcomes for the family (ex. explore whether decent housing provides supportive environments). </p> <p>3. Illustrate the impact of decent housing on the community. </p> <p>Qualitative research methods have been used to conduct this research. As a case study, the researcher had chosen the Housing Program for the Disadvantaged - one from the Community Service Centre’s (CSC) programs in Nablus city where she was doing her fieldwork. This program’s mission is to improve living conditions, and provide healthy and safe environments for poor persons through rehabilitation and renovation of houses. The qualitative research methods have been used to examine the effects of the CSC’s Housing Program on community and social ex/inclusion, in addition, to understand the relation between housing and civic engagement. Key themes related to housing and social inclusion had been defined in literature review; through collecting data and analysing the case study the researcher tried to figure out the appearance of these themes in the subject population. Participant observation, interviews, records and official documents of the Community service Centre had been used as a research tools. 6<br /> The research questions were: </p> <p>o Does decent, healthy and safe housing affect social ex/inclusion? </p> <p>o Are there any relationships between housing and better outcomes for the family? </p> <p>o Does the Housing Program have any effects on the community? </p> <p>The subject population were the CSC Housing Program’s beneficiaries and volunteers; the beneficiaries are individuals and families, particularly poor families with children, elderly and disabled. The volunteers are from the local community, either people who provide funds and materials at low prices or workers who donate their work. Potential subjects had been identified through the researcher’s work as an intern at the CSC.<br /> The context of this study was the Palestinian community in Nablus city and its surrounding villages. The Housing Program targets the houses with very poor living conditions. It is unhealthy, damp and with bad ventilation. In some cases, these houses do not have indoor bathrooms or kitchens and if they do, it is usually in very bad condition with no tiles or sinks. During her fieldwork as an intern with the Housing Program, the researcher visited the families in their houses and evaluated the family social situation as a social worker. In addition, as an architect, she has evaluated the housing needs to be a healthy and liveable environment. The second phase of her work was renovating the house to improve it and working with the family on a parallel line to improve their social situation. That gave her better understanding of the housing effects on the family life and helped her in analysing the qualitative data she had collected.<br /> The research value:<br /> This research has drawn attention to the housing sector in the Palestinian community and its role in the empowerment process, as well as its role in community development since the house is considered the foundation upon which we build other life 7 </p> <p>aspects. Through this research, we have a better understanding of housing as a liveable environment that touches its inhabitants’ lives, emotions, health and ability to form relationships, as well as enhancing their ability to facilitate their participation in their community has been gained.<br /> Study outline:<br /> This study consists of five parts: </p> <p>o Part one provides a general idea about this study, its aims and value. In addition it explains this research importance and states its context. This part also illustrates the research methods and the approach the researcher has used to conduct this research. </p> <p>o Part two provides comprehensive literature review about the study topic; through the literature review the researcher explored the previous studies that have been done on the same topic or related to it in order to gain more understanding about the possible linkage between housing and social ex/inclusion. At the end of this chapter the researcher identified housing aspects and outcomes that may affect social ex/inclusion, and built a base on which she could start her research. </p> <p>o Part three outlines the research design and methodology; it includes the research approach, the main research tools, sample selection and qualitative data analysis. The interview outline is attached at the end of this study. </p> <p>o Part four provides information about the case study – CSC Housing Program- that has been used in this research. It shows the context of the case study and gives a clear picture about its role and functioning. </p> <p>o Part five provides this research results. It begins with overview of the households interviewed, and then it discusses the relative importance of themes examined in the interviews, followed by in depth analysis by theme. At the end of this part there is discussion of the research main ideas and its conclusion and recommendations.</p>
Description
Keywords
Citation