"A place to go:" a study of the provision of emergency accommodation by the Salvation Army

Abstract

A PLACE TO GO: A study of the provision of emergency accommodation by The Salvation Army. This study focuses on three related aspects: A. An examination of a cross section of emergency accommodation facilities to determine reasons for establishment and current usage. Establishment has been shown to have changed from an early day concern of Salvationists to provide for the "erring and the homeless" encountered on their own street "patrols", to a present residential focus in which most admissions are received from other agencies. Six types of presenting problems were noted: 1.domestic dispute-violence, 2. relationship and communication, 3. chemical dependency, 4. psychological, 5 housing, 6. homeless. The most common characteristics of those who present are: married, aged between 21 & 30, New Zealand born Europeans with two children. Length of stay varies but is shorter at Lodges with passive intervention. No common pattern is seen in the outcome of clients. B. To establish if demand for such centres is justified as an appropriate Social Work provision, or if it is a fashion trend among Salvation Army community workers. The demand for emergency accommodation was seen to be real and the establishment of Emergency Lodges a necessity to the well being of women and children. The further establishment of crisis intervention facilities and Family Care Crisis Centres was discussed. Concern was also expressed for children and the needs of men in violent relationships. C. A discussion of the implications of such findings as they relate to the direction and delivery system of Salvation Army Social Services in the 1980's. Important areas of concern determined: 1. determining the aims and objectives of Emergency Lodges, 2. the quality of staff, 3. the work load of officers, 4. the status of women, 5. training of officers, 6. change from community outreach to residential focus, 7. the visibility and accessibility of Lodges, 8. information dissemination, 9. supervision 10. reorganisation of the agency structure to a unified regional approach, 11. ability to change to meet societal needs.