Presentation given by Lesley McMahon & Barbara Illsley, UK at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Understanding Homelessness and Housing Exclusion in the New European Context", Budapest, Hungary, 2010

1. Pathways into and out of
homelessness: the case of problem
gambling
Lesley McMahon and Barbara Illsley
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE
ENHR
NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

2. Content
1 Problem gambling
2 A hidden issue and a process
3 Theoretical perspective
4 Data
5 Findings: UK
6 Findings: Australia
7 Reasons for different representations of the
issue
8 Conclusions
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

3. Gambling and problem gambling
No Social Heavy Problem Pathological
Gambling Gambling Gambling Gambling Gambling
 Gambling continuum
 Only a small proportion of people who gamble experience problems
with gambling
 Problem gambling is defined by Brown (2001) to exist when
gambling activity results in a range of adverse consequences where:
 The safety and well-being of gambling customers and/or their families
and friends are placed at risk; and
 Negative impacts extend to the broader community
 Pathways model of problem gambling (Blaszczynski & Nower, 2002)
 Insidious nature of problem gambling
 Lack of physiological symptoms
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

4. Impact of Problem Gambling on
Families and Relationships (APC,
1999)
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

5. Problem gambling and
homelessness: a hidden issue
 Pathways framework exploring homelessness and support issues -
well developed
 Limited research into the relationship between problem gambling
and homelessness
Emotionally
vulnerable
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

6. Theoretical perspective
 Critical inquiry
 Data as a product are omnipresent and continually
produced due to human agency (Bhaskar, 1998:88)
 Approach questions the current knowledge by seeking
to understand the “social ontology” of a phenomenon
(Martin, 2008:517)
 The researcher’s and research participants’ role is to
illuminate what data and understandings are false
 Need to be conscious of the power relations
in society
 The duality of structure and agency
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT
6

7. Data
 Objectives
 Enquire into the experiences of people who have
experienced problem gambling, and the impact of this
on their housing status
 To identify the support factors
 Highlight good practice
 UK study
 11 staff in 9 agencies and 35 individuals
 Australian study
 Interviewed 26 agency staff in 17 organisations and 8
clients
 Funded by Carnegie Trust
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

8. Key Findings: UK
 Agencies
 Agencies little awareness of problem gambling
 No training received with respect to problem gambling
 Lack of resources, and already stretched
 People who have experienced problem gambling
 Shame felt by people who have experienced problem gambling
 Never mentioned problem gambling when rehoused; although
primary reason for homelessness
 Never mentioned problem gambling to debt counsellors
 Concerned about ability to engage with young people who are
experiencing problem gambling
 Lack of informal support: burned bridges with friends and family
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

9. Key Findings: Australia
 Gambling Counselling Agencies
 Estimated approx 25% clients have experienced homelessness
or a reduction in housing circumstances caused by the problem
gambling (eviction, repossession, relationship breakdown)
 Homelessness sector
 Variation regarding awareness of problem gambling as a
discrete issue
 Very rarely the presenting issue
 Not the primary or secondary reason, but it is a growing factor
especially with clients who have complex needs
 Homelessness academic: “Gambling is not an issue”
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

10. Why the different representations
of the problem?
HOMELESSNESS & HOUSING SECTOR
Client Worker
Non-disclosure Not identifying
 Stigma • Not
 Shame on
 Fear of denial of radar
service • Inade
Needs not meet quate
skills
to
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010 respo
nd
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

11. Conclusions
 Problem gambling is a pathway into homelessness, but, it is
not the primary cause. Over-indebtedness, repossession,
domestic abuse, relationship breakdown are more likely to be
the primary reason for the homelessness episode
 If disclosure occurs, support such as talking therapies and
budgeting should be provided to maximise the likelihood of a
sustainable positive housing outcome in the future
 Housing & homelessness sector
 Training to raise awareness (GamCare)
 Develop policies regarding service delivery for people who are
experiencing problem gambling
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

12. Conclusions
 Government policies should be proactive with community
education programmes (illustrating behavioural strategies, as
well as problem recognition)
 Should encourage people to talk openly about problem gambling
to remove the stigma and shame
 Data collection
 Gambling industry to a degree acknowledges its role and
responsibilities
 The GREaT Foundation funds support for PG and community
education
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT