Efficacy of Harm Reduction Approaches to Hoarding in Social Housing

Hoarding involves keeping so many objects that the home becomes unsafe or unhealthy. Due to fire risks and other issues, hoarding can also be unsafe for neighbours – risks that housing providers must manage. A common strategy in social housing settings is to evict the tenant or forcibly clean out the unit, traumatic practices that can leave tenants at risk of homelessness. Lookout Housing and Health Society is partnering with UBC researchers to document the effectiveness of their harm reduction program to address health and safety issues in hoarded units. The key question is: Does the harm reduction approach achieve health and safety goals and support tenant wellness? We will use fire and building inspection reports, staff members’ reports, and tenants’ self-report measures to fill an important knowledge gap about interventions for hoarding and to help Lookout justify permanent funding for this program and inspire practice change among other housing providers.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sheila Woody;Christiana Bratiotis

Student:

Partner:

Lookout Housing and Health Society

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: