Big Ideas in a Micro Village: Evaluating the Potential Efficacy of a Young Person’s supported Housing Concept

Abstract

Young people at risk of homelessness can often struggle to find suitable accommodation that adequately meets their needs. It is this lack of appropriate supported housing provision that has prompted the Wallich homelessness charity to start developing an innovative housing project for young people called the Carmarthenshire Wellbeing, Therapeutic and Social Hub (CWTSH). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of the CWTSH in order to gain a deeper understanding of its possible benefits, challenges and criticisms.This study employed a predominantly qualitative methodology and sits within an interpretivist paradigm. The literature review focused on indirect literature that was central to the CWTSH concept, such as the context of youth homelessness; policy and legislation; existing homelessness housing models; intentional community discourse; psychologically informed environments; adverse childhood experiences, and collaboration. Participants were sampled through the Wallich using both a convenience and purposive approach, whilst data was collected via ethnographic research with Wallich management, group participation with young people and their staff, and a young people's survey. Data was then analysed using thematic analysis. Declaration