Research group Living and Wellbeing
Lines of research within the research group
Homelessness is not always visible. The research group introduced the first count of homelessness in the Netherlands using the ETHOS Light definition. The count provides insight into the numbers and profile characteristics of homeless people in the participating municipalities and, in addition to visible homelessness, also shows hidden homelessness. Policymakers can use the results to prevent and eradicate homelessness.
We are the national center of expertise on special housing forms in which people in need of (temporary) support live together with other residents and in which commonality and neighborly contact play a role. In these housing projects, cooperation between residents, professional support workers and initiators from housing corporations, care organizations and municipalities plays an important role.
Together with social partners and concerned citizens, the research group participates in knowledge and development networks that look for new ways to connect formal care and informal support. Hybrid' care arrangements are important for continuing to provide care to vulnerable citizens and elderly people living independently in neighborhoods and districts in the future, with an eye for the limits of this.
Publications
- Leaving the Crow’s Nest: How Creative Co‐Creation Transcends “Us‐Versus‐Them” Experiences of Dutch Refugee Students
- Support-nets. Mutual Support groups to overcome social isolation
- Towards understanding what Dutch people in a socio-economically disadvantaged position need to enhance their living conditions
Education
Researchgroup members teach the Housing First course in collaboration with Housing First NL and the Mixed course. Furthermore, the research group regularly seeks collaboration with Social Work, Nursing Studies, the Master's in Community Development and the HU-wide department of ethics lecturers and other research groups and institutes.
“Mixed housing contributes to the participation of people with social, psychological and addiction problems, and it reduces their loneliness. Vulnerable residents feel they are seen and accepted”
Maarten Davelaar Researcher
Collaboration
We work together with a wide range of partners from professional practice, science and education. A selection of these: De Tussenvoorziening, Armoedecoalitie Utrecht, Valente, Platform 31, Woningcorporatie Portaal, Woonin, Housing First, Kansfonds, HVO Querido, Gemeente Utrecht, VNG, GGDrU, Trimbos, Kennisnetwerk: Onderzoek dakloosheid, Kennisplatform Utrecht Sociaal, kenniswerkplaats Samen Omgaan met Onbegrip, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Radboud Universiteit en FEANTSA.
Our professors and researchers
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